Jack Black will star alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in the upcoming Jumanji reboot.
Johnson confirmed the news on Instagram overnight, stating that Black will join him and comedy actor Kevin Hart in the new version of the 1995 original.
An ol’ friend is ready to play in the world of #JUMANJI… Jack (mf’n) Black,” he wrote. “Been a big fan of his work over the years. A brilliant actor who I’m confident will turn in a performance of a lifetime for JUMANJI. (when we reveal his character you’ll understand;). In our reimagining of the story of JUMANJI, Jack brings that rare balance of cool with funny and edge with childlike joy. The “Jumanji Breakfast Club” is coming together.. myself, Jack (mf’n) Black and Kevin Hart.”
Johnson also teased that there are “Two big roles left. One bad ass girl. One semi-sorta bad ass dude” but did not reveal their names.
The Jumanji remake will “honour” Robin Williams, according to Johnson. Williams, who died in 2014, starred in the original 1995 fantasy comedy film, which is based on a children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg.
Johnson, best known for his roles in The Scorpion King and the Fast & Furious series, recently said that the new version of the movie will pay tribute to Williams’s character Alan Parrish.
Jake Kasdan (Sex Tape, Bad Teacher) is down to direct the remake, which will be released in July 2017.