'Jungle Cruise' Movie: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson To Star in Film Based on Popular Disney Ride
Disney's popular theme park ride, "Jungle Cruise," is heading to the big screen. Word is out that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has agreed to star in the movie adaptation of the popular Disney attraction.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has long expressed its interest to make a movie based on the theme park ride. In 2004, the company behind the park has looked for a way to adapt in into a film after seeing the success of "Pirates of the Caribbean."
Seven years later in 2011, the company seemed to have moved with the project and had Tim Allen and Tom Hanks tied with the movie. Roger S.H. Schulman was supposed to pen the script, which will see the story "set in modern times."
However, that deal did not push through as well.
But finally, it was confirmed that "Jungle Cruise" will push through, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the lead in the movie adaptation.
The former wrestler expressed his excitement over the project.
"[Disney production president] Sean Bailey and Disney have been awesome partners and now the fun part begins. We're starting to put in the work with Requa and Ficarra and our creative team. Fired up about this one. Here we go," said the actor in a statement.
John Requa and Glenn Ficarra are on board to write the screenplay. Both writers are known for their directorial work in "Stupid Crazy Love" and "Focus," which they also wrote.
John Fox and John Davis from Davis Entertainment will produce the movie.
"Jungle Cruise" is part of Disneyland's Adventureland segment. It opened in 1955, wrote Screen Rant.
Riders will be taken into a riverboat cruise through famous rivers in the South America, Asia and African continents where they will encounter different native tribes and animals local to the area.
Hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses are just among the few animals riders will encounter as they course through the Congo and Nile Rivers. On the other hand, flesh-eating piranhas can be seen in the Amazon River.
While little details about the plot and setting of the upcoming movie are known, it seems that the Dwayne Johnson-starrer will not go the 21st century route and will instead be set in the period of the 1950s when the ride was set up.
No date has been set for when filming will begin as Johnson currently has other projects tied under his belt. The actor is about to start production on the HBO series original, "Ballers" season two, followed by "Fast and the Furious 8" where he will reprise his role as Agent Hobbs.
Johnson is no stranger to working with Disney as he has lent his voice to the lead character of the upcoming animated film, "Moana."
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