For any kid who grew up in the '90s, "Jumanji" on VHS was a sacred object deserving of the utmost reverence and monthly screenings. So, when news broke that the classic adventure film would receive the reboot treatment, longtime fans were understandably protective of the film's legacy.
But Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who is attached to produce and star in the project, took to Instagram on Monday to reassure all who hold "Jumanji" near and dear that the reboot would pay tribute to the original and, of course, the late Robin Williams.
"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 captioned a photo of himself holding up a copy of Jumanji, the picture book. "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."
Williams, who died in 2014, played the film's protagonist, a man trapped in the board game for 26 years. According to Johnson, the two once crossed paths, causing the former wrestler to regress into "a star struck bumbling idiot."
"I also think Robin is somewhere lookin' down and laughing, remembering the first time we met backstage," Johnson wrote. "[I] couldn't even get my words out. Idiot. He literally calmed me down w/ that smile and laugh."
Although he promised to honor the spirit of the original film, the Instagram note also hints at some major changes to the "Jumanji" story, with Johnson promising to reveal some casting announcements for the film later this week.
"In the original movie there were three big roles. In our new story there's now FIVE. Been so damn cool to see all my actor buddies push their projects aside so hopefully they can come play in our world."
You know what? We're cool just as long as they bring back the psychotic monkeys. OK?
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