Dwayne Johnson says Jumanji: The Open World journey is 'greatest of a lifetime'
Synopsis
Dwayne Johnson has called the making of 'Jumanji: The Open World' the 'greatest of a lifetime,' sharing rare set photos with Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan ahead of what appears to be an imminent trailer or release-date reveal — reigniting excitement for one of Hollywood's most lucrative ensemble franchises.
Key Takeaways
Dwayne Johnson shared set photos from 'Jumanji: The Open World' on 29 July , teasing a reveal at 5:50 pm PT .
The film reunites Johnson , Jack Black , Kevin Hart , and Karen Gillan in their original roles.
Johnson revealed he took one half of the original 1995 Jumanji dice as a tribute to the late Robin Williams .
The original 1995 Jumanji was directed by Joe Johnston and based on Chris Van Allsburg 's 1981 picture book.
Johnson's latest release is the live-action Moana , starring alongside Catherine Laga'aia and Jemaine Clement .
Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson has offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of 'Jumanji: The Open World', calling the experience the 'greatest of a lifetime' and teasing an imminent reveal for the highly anticipated franchise instalment.
What Johnson Shared
Johnson posted a series of photographs capturing cherished moments from the set alongside co-stars Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan. 'All jokes aside, our Jumanji journey has been the greatest of a lifetime. See you all at 5:50pm PT. I love you Toot toot,' he wrote in the caption, hinting at an upcoming announcement while keeping specifics close to his chest.
The Returning Cast
The new instalment reunites the core ensemble from the 2017 reboot. Kevin Hart returns as Franklin Finbar, Johnson reprises his role as Dr. Xander 'Smolder' Bravestone, Jack Black returns as Professor Sheldon Oberon, and Karen Gillan is back as Ruby Roundhouse. The title — 'Jumanji: The Open World' — suggests a broader, more expansive adventure than previous entries.
Johnson's Tribute to Robin Williams
Notably, Johnson earlier revealed that the game piece he wears around his neck as Dr. Bravestone is a direct homage to the late screen legend Robin Williams, who starred in the original 1995 Jumanji directed by Joe Johnston and based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 children's picture book. Johnson admitted he took one half of the original pair of dice used in that film as a personal keepsake — and, when crew members asked for it back, he told them he had returned it. The candid confession drew wide attention, underscoring the deep affection the cast holds for the franchise's roots.
Franchise Background
The original 1995 Jumanji starred Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, and Bebe Neuwirth, and launched a film series that was successfully rebooted in 2017. The reboot and its 2019 sequel together grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide, cementing the franchise as one of Hollywood's most reliable ensemble properties.
Johnson's Recent Work
Johnson's most recent release is the live-action adaptation of Moana, which also features Rena Owen, John Tui, Frankie Adams, Jemaine Clement, and Catherine Laga'aia. The film follows a spirited Polynesian village chief's daughter chosen by the ocean to restore a mystical relic to the goddess Te Fiti — a quest that takes her across the sea to track down the exiled demigod Maui. With 'Jumanji: The Open World' now on the horizon, Johnson shows no sign of slowing a franchise run that spans decades.
Point of View
Which will ultimately determine whether it expands the franchise's audience or merely consolidates it.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Jumanji: The Open World'?
'Jumanji: The Open World' is the next instalment in the Jumanji franchise, reuniting Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan in their roles from the 2017 reboot. The title suggests a more expansive in-game world than previous entries.
Why did Dwayne Johnson take the dice from the Jumanji set?
Johnson took one half of the original pair of dice used in the 1995 Jumanji film as a personal tribute to the late Robin Williams, who starred in that version. He later admitted he told crew members he had returned the prop when he had not.
Who is in the cast of Jumanji: The Open World?
The confirmed returning cast includes Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Xander 'Smolder' Bravestone, Kevin Hart as Franklin Finbar, Jack Black as Professor Sheldon Oberon, and Karen Gillan as Ruby Roundhouse.
What is the original 1995 Jumanji film?
The original Jumanji, released in 1995 and directed by Joe Johnston, was based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 children's picture book. It starred Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, and Bonnie Hunt, and launched the film series that was later rebooted in 2017.
What is Dwayne Johnson's most recent film release?
Johnson's most recent release is the live-action adaptation of Moana, co-starring Rena Owen, Jemaine Clement, and Catherine Laga'aia. The film follows a Polynesian chief's daughter on a quest to restore a mystical relic alongside the demigod Maui.
