New “Jumanji” Gets Delayed Two Weeks

Sony Pictures has announced that it is moving its new “Jumanji” film, delaying it by two weeks from December 11th to Christmas Day.

There had been growing concerns that the film, the third of the current era and fourth overall, would be crushed the following week by the ‘Dunesday’ event with both “Dune: Part Three” and “Avengers: Doomsday” opening on December 18th.

The shift to Christmas, a week after, allows the movie to take advantage of one of the most lucrative weeks of the year and a time when multiple films in the marketplace can prosper and carry on success well into January.

The film will also offer an option for young kids and families in ways “Avengers” and “Dune” do not. That’s how 2019’s “Jumanji: The Next Level” was able to open the week after “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and the same day as “The Greatest Showman” and still go on to gross $802 million worldwide.

Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan are returning alongside filmmaker Jake Kasdan, who directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg.

Also back are Danny DeVito, Nick Jonas, Marin Hinkle, Bebe Neuwirth, Lamorne Morris and Rhys Darby while Dan Hildebrand and Jack Jewkes join the cast.

With the move, the December 11th weekend is now clear of any major releases which has raised the question as to whether “Dune” or “Avengers” will try and move up a week.

Source: THR