An Overlooked Sci-Fi Franchise Is Coming Back Sooner Than You Think

"Release dates aren't as reliable as they used to be. In an era where script issues, worldwide events, and industry strikes have postponed movies for years, no theatrical release date is secure, and getting your hopes up can lead to disappointment. Usually, though, the start of a movie's production is a sign that things are headed in the right direction, and fans can get (cautiously) optimistic."

"That movie took the "board game comes to life" premise of 1995's Jumanji and modernized it by having its characters get sucked into a video game. Since then, the franchise has been quietly chugging along, with a sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level, dropping in 2019, and Johnson announcing that production of another sequel will begin this November. It's been a long time coming: the movie was announced in 2020, then set aside when Hollywood locked down."

"Jumanji 3 (or 4, if you count the original) will reach theaters more than seven years after its predecessor, but at least it's still happening. And then that might be it; back in 2023, Kevin Hart teased to that this would be the final Jumanji film for him and Johnson. Even the Rock's gotta stop cooking eventually. The next Jumanji sequel hits theaters December 11, 2026."

Release dates have become less reliable due to script issues, worldwide events, and industry strikes that have postponed films for years. The commencement of production typically indicates progress and allows cautious optimism. Dwayne Johnson reaffirmed his collaboration history with Kevin Hart, noting their work since Central Intelligence and the rebooted Jumanji films. The 2017 reboot modernized the original 1995 premise by placing characters inside a video game, followed by 2019's Jumanji: The Next Level. A new sequel was announced in 2020 but delayed by pandemic lockdowns. Sony Pictures announced a December 11, 2026 release in October 2024, and production is set to begin this November. Kevin Hart hinted in 2023 that this may be his and Johnson's final Jumanji entry.

Read at Inverse