It was only earlier this year that Sony Pictures declared their wish-list of re-living the 90s movies announcing two new Bad Boys installments and a remake to the fantastical adventure flick, Jumanji (1995).
For the children who grew up in the 1990s would remember the magical board game, Jumanji that unleashed a horde of animals in the suburbia as the characters continued to finish the game. With every move at the game, new dangers threatened our heroes. Starring the late legendary actor Robin Williams along with Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce and Jonathan Hyde as the hunter, the movie went on to be a commercial success bagging over $260 million world-wide in spite of mixed critical reviews.
Back in 1995, Jumanji directed by Joe Johnston (Captain America – The First Avenger) was a perfect concoction to be a sure-shot money-bagger and a memorable cinematic experience. An interesting magical plot, with stunning performances, weird theories (yes Bradley Peirce turning into a humanoid- monkey was weird but intriguing) and of course Robin Willaim’s unmatched quirky and comical persona of Alan Parrish’s insanity after being trapped in the board-game for 26 years was undoubtedly brilliant.
No doubt even two decades later, Sony Pictures has had their eye on re-imagining Chris Van Allsburg’s 1981 book on which the original was based. After promising a re-look at the fantastical adventure in 2016, things are speeding up as the Con Air scriptwriter Scott Rosenberg has been roped in to scribe the modern-day Jumanji. Along with Rosenberg, writer Jeff Pinkner (Fringe, Alias) has also been confirmed as a consultant to the script bringing together the creative minds once again after their collaborated works on the TV series, Zoo.
Lately Sony hasn’t tasted much success with many of its filming bottoming at the box office. The latest movie in a similar fantasy genre, Goosebumps starring Jack Black too tanked at the box office with a modest $23.5 opening weekend.
Surely Jumanji promising a big-break for Sony Pictures, the studio has upped the project in its priority list. With only fourteen months to the deadline of 2016, Christmas release, things are definitely about to speed up with confirmations on the director and other casting updates.
With Rosenberg on-board, the new Jumanji is sure to pack some crisp action similar to his earlier works in Con Air and Gone in 60 seconds. Also with the best in-class Visual effects and animation techniques at Hollywood’s disposal, we could expect the tent-pole to be loaded with CGI animals and a lot of VFX going into production. However Sony may face the challenge of reiterating Robin William’s charm as Alan Parrish. So much attention needs to be given at the casting couch level.
A wild-guess would be Nicholas Cage personifying the character as Rosenberg and Cage have done tremendously well at the box-office (Con Air, Gone in 60 Seconds) and his choice of movies have always ranged around the fantastical and adventure-fumed flicks. So let us wait and watch as Jumanji has been found again and the game is on!