There have been rumours and talks about a Jumanji remake for some time. The children’s favourite has been scheduled for a remake for quite a while and what has been dubbed as ‘a reimagining of the 1995 film will now involve the Gone in 60 Seconds and Kangaroo Jack writer Scott Rosenberg. Rosenberg’s co-writer on the series Zoo, Jeff Pinkner (also known for Lost and Alias) is also said to be participating in the project in a consulting capacity. Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium writer Zach Helm has previously turned down an offer to rewrite the script. At least Rosenberg and Pinkner have experience in uncontrollable animals having both worked on Zoo.
Despite having to be re-written the children’s fantasy film will stick to its release date of Christmas Day 2016. Many people have felt Columbia Pictures have announced this far too close to the death of the original star Robin Williams who played the lead role of Alan Parrish in the original film, alongside a young Kirsten Dunst and Bonnie Hunt.
Reports state that this re-imagining is to more closely resemble the 1981 book by Chris Van Allsburg where Judy and Peter find the game, a jungle-orientated board game that comes to life, but without the story of Alan Parrish, which was invented for the film. We can only hope that this change in the story makes it less of a remake and more of an original film based on a similar story.
The release date will see the film opening opposite Tim Burton’s latest film Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children. This adaptation of the book by Ransom Riggs brings with it a stellar cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, Terence Stamp, Judi Dench and Allison Janney. This is set to be stiff competition so we can only hope the new writing team roll a 6 or a 4 and get through the opening weekend safely.
The question now is; will they remake the Jumanji sequel Zathura: A Space Adventure? The follow up to Jumanji was released in 2005 and starred The Hunger Games Josh Hutchinson?
Let us know your thoughts on this re-invention of a modern children’s classic in the comments below.
