The film, set for release on June 28, 2017, is the follow-up to the 1995 film of the same name (itself adapted from Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 children's book), and has been in development since 2012. Work on the film has accelerated in the past year, with chief castmembers of the Sony Studios-produced movie signing on to work on a new script that's been co-written by Stranger Than Fiction screenwriter Zach Helm.
The movie will see Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart and Jack Black in lead roles, with Johnson and Gillan among those posting photos and videos on social media. Johnson uploaded a video of himself with Gillan, while Gillan posting a picture of herself with her stunt doubles. See below.
We're in the raining #JumanjiJungle baby! Jack Black's "Gonna watch you bleeeed" at the end kills me. Phenomenal first week of shooting with my extremely talented and funny co-stars @kevinhart4real, @karengillanofficial and our resident rock and roller Jack Black! We've been battling the jungle elements daily and director Jake Kasdan and hard working boots on the ground film crew is raising the bar when it comes to delivering the goods. Makin' a good one for you over here in Hawaii and Jack's makin' em bleed. #OnLocation #Hawaii #Jumanji A video posted by therock (@therock) on Sep 25, 2016 at 2:16pm PDT
Three Martha's ready to kick some ass in the jungle. @jahnelly and Emily #JumanjiMovie #roundhouse A photo posted by Karen Gillan (@karengillanofficial) on Sep 30, 2016 at 10:25am PDT
Being an actress is hard... A video posted by Karen Gillan (@karengillanofficial) on Oct 1, 2016 at 3:21pm PDT
Could be worse...#JumanjiMovie A photo posted by Karen Gillan (@karengillanofficial) on Sep 28, 2016 at 12:29pm PDT
While on set, one of us has a knack to break out in song at any moment (Jack Black), the other angrily eats Doritos and will tell you "go f*ck yourself" if you stare too long (Kevin Hart) and the last one has convinced himself that popping his pecs triggers sexual pheromones to be released from women. And Komodo Dragons. #OnLocation #Hawaii #Jumanji #TresHombres #WeHaveIssues A photo posted by therock (@therock) on Oct 2, 2016 at 8:01pm PDT
As crazy and dangerous as our shoot has been deep in the jungles. And what I mean by "dangerous" is Kevin becomes an asshole if he doesn't get his Doritos. Me and Kev looked up at this beautiful background in Hawaii and just took our moment to be grateful boys for our blessings. We were also very grateful to have found a big ass rock Kev can stand on to be taller than me. #2Rocks #1Hart #GratefulBoys #OnLocation #Hawaii #Jumanji A photo posted by therock (@therock) on Oct 1, 2016 at 12:57pm PDT
Gillan recently defended the film from criticism of sexism after its first official photo was revealed.
Johnson has assured fans that the sequel will honour the star of the 1995 Jumanji film, the late Robin Williams. The actor - who is also serving as a producer on the project - wrote on his Instagram back in May that he had "love and respect for Williams," who died in 2014.
"An important thing that I want to be honest and bring up is Robin Williams. The love and respect I have for this man is boundless," he wrote. "You have my word, we will honor his name and the character of 'Alan Parrish' will stand alone and be forever immortalized in the world of JUMANJI in an earnest and cool way.
"I have an idea of what to do and I think his family will be proud, Johnson continued. "I also think Robin is somewhere lookin’ down and laughing, remembering the first time we met backstage and I (for the first time ever) was a star struck bumbling idiot that couldn’t even get my words out. Idiot. He literally calmed me down w/ that smile and laugh. But that’s for another fun story down the road.”