Jumanji: Open World set for Christmas Day as trilogy finale
The game is escaping into the real world this Christmas.
Sony Pictures will release Jumanji: Open World in theatres on Dec. 25, billed as the final instalment in the current trilogy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The date puts the big adventure squarely on Christmas Day. The studio is holding it for an exclusive run on cinema screens.
The film is directed by Jake Kasdan. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg. In film terms, the director leads the shoot while the writers shape the story and dialogue.
The producing team brings back familiar names. Producers are Kasdan, star Dwayne Johnson, Matt Tolmach, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. A producer oversees the project from development through release.
Johnson leads the returning cast. He is back alongside Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan, the four actors at the centre of the revived series. Their return keeps the core team together for the closing chapter.
The wider ensemble is large. It also features Nick Jonas, Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Ser'Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Rhys Darby and Danny DeVito, The Hollywood Reporter reported. That long list points to plenty of familiar faces for regular viewers.
This time the danger comes to us. The story centres on the game's heroes breaking free of its console and wreaking havoc on the real world. In plain terms, the fantasy does not stay trapped inside the machine. It spills out into streets, homes and everyday life.
Sony Pictures has started the countdown with new artwork. The studio released a poster showing the faces of the four leads stacked vertically, one above the other. Johnson shared the image on Instagram, telling followers the film comes exclusively to movie theatres on Christmas Day.
For fans, this means a holiday trip to the cinema. An exclusive theatrical release means the film will play first on big screens, with no streaming option at launch. A Christmas opening gives families a reason to gather in the dark together.
What makes this stand out is the flip. The earlier modern films sent players into the game. Now the game comes out to meet the players.
