Jumanji 2: Video Game Themed Sequel Stars Jack Black As Teenage Girl
Also becomes second The Rock film called "Welcome To The Jungle"...
With CinemaCon in full flow, Sony debuted the first footage of the Jumanji sequel (be assured, it's not a remake) at the event and inspired a positive reaction in guests, according to those on the ground.
Interestingly, the descriptions of the footage revealed a couple of choice details about the upcoming film. Firstly, it's got a new title: Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, which - oddly enough - was also the alternate title for The Rock's 2003 film The Rundown. Obviously, the universe wants a film called that to be made.
In terms of more substantial details: it turns out - as predicted a while back - that this version of Jumanji isn't a board game, but a video game. Because there's no way a studio wouldn't develop a game from a cursed, killer game that transports players into a hell-on-Earth jungle where they can be hunted or eaten or poisoned every day.
The sizzle reel confirmed (according to The Hollywood Reporter) that the film will follow four high-school students in detention who are told to clear out the school basement and discover a games console with the game in it. They all choose a character, and are then teleported into the jungle as those characters - including one teenage girl becoming Jack Black.
The video game setting also goes some way to explaining Karen Gillan's sexualised costume that caused so much controversy. Clearly we're going to get a comment on video game sexism - as The Rock assured everyone that there is a good reason for that costume.
None of this is particularly surprising - aside from the whole teenage girl Jack Black thing - but it's good to hear that the footage was a crowd pleaser at least. Because anything that besmirches the legacy of the original would be terrible.
Are you excited for Jumanji 2? Share your reactions below in the comments thread.