How The New JUMANJI Film Connects to the Original and Honors Robin Williams
Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle surprisingly looks like it's going to be a decent and entertaining adventure film. I enjoyed the most recent trailers that have been released. They actually gave us a little more insight into how this new Jumanji film connected to the original and how Robin Williams' character Alan Parish fits into the story.
We now have some additional details on how the new film connects to the original thanks to producer Matt Tolmach. When talking about the movie with ComingSoon, he explained:
“I know this is going to sound like a positioning statement, we’ve sort of always looked at it as another Jumanji adventure. That idea comes from the original movie, and the book, that there is this game and the game sort of travels through time and around the world and so the idea is the game is the thing that is the legacy. It’s just another Jumanji adventure.”
I actually think it's kind of cool that will get to see the other side of the Jumanji game. As you know, in the first film, the dangerous elements of the game enter our world, but in this movie, the players are sucked into the world of Jumanji. This is the exact same world that Robin Williams' Alen Parish spent many years in. This is one thing that the creative team isn't shying away from. They are embracing Alan's past adventures as they tell this story.
“I really don’t want to give away spoilers. But I will say that the character that Robin played, the spirit of that character, is something that is massively important to this movie and that is reflected in the movie… And since our movie goes into the game, well that’s what he did, so his presence in this world is felt for sure.”
Dwayne Johnson also talked about paying homage to Williams, saying:
“That was the number one thing that I just wanted to have open dialogue with Jake (Kasdan, the director) and Matt Tolmach, our producer, and the studio. What is the way that we can pay homage to the original movie, not only to the original movie, but to Robin Williams in a way that felt good and that made people feel good, but yet, as you said, not get bogged down in it? So, I think we came up with some really nice ways to pay homage and yeah, I think the family is going to be very, very happy with it. And without giving too much away, there… Now, I’m biting my tongue right now…”
Kevin Hart adds:
“I’m a fan of Robin Williams. I think that’s an important thing to bring up, because people think that this is a remake of the original Jumanji, and it’s not. It’s a continuation. You don’t touch what’s great and try to redo it… In no way, shape or form are we disrespecting, or reshaping, or reforming the original Jumanji. It’s a continuation.”
I'm happy with the way that they are approaching this movie and I think that fans will embrace it because of the respect that is being shown to the original film and Williams.