The highly-anticipated third instalment of the Jumanji franchise has officially commenced filming, with first-look pictures revealing the star-studded cast back in their iconic roles. Karen Gillan, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Jack Black, and Kevin Hart were all spotted on set in Los Angeles, sparking excitement amongst fans.
Back in Action: First Look at the Cast
Karen Gillan, 37, looked every bit the action hero, showcasing her incredibly toned abs in her character Ruby Roundhouse's signature combat attire. The Scottish actress slipped back into the 'killer of men' commando cargo shorts, crop top, and lace-up cargo boots with ease.
Meanwhile, her formidable co-stars were equally recognisable in their character costumes. Jack Black, 56, returned as Professor Shelly Oberon, donning a tweed blazer, raincoat, and a distinctive turquoise bow tie. Dwayne Johnson, 53, embodied the brawn of Dr Smolder Bravestone, flaunting his bulging biceps and muscular physique in a beige shirt and cargo pants. Completing the quartet, Kevin Hart, 46, reprised his role as zoologist Franklin 'Moose' Finbar, appearing happy in his camouflage waist jacket and binoculars.
A New Setting and a Farewell Chapter
The on-set photos provided some intriguing clues about the upcoming plot. While the storyline remains under wraps, the cast was photographed on what appeared to be normal, Christmas-decorated streets. This marks a dramatic shift from the previous films' jungle and desert settings, suggesting a new adventure that might bring the game into the real world.
The production was confirmed by Sony Pictures in September, with the studio announcing the news on X (formerly Twitter) alongside a group picture of the leads. The post read: 'Look who's on the loose #JumanjiMovie is coming exclusively to theatres Christmas 2026.' This will be the final chapter of the franchise, as Kevin Hart has previously confirmed to Variety.
Behind the Scenes and Franchise Legacy
The film's creative team is also reuniting for this adventure. Jake Kasdan is returning to direct, with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg back to co-write the screenplay. Producer Hiram Garcia had teased the project back in 2021, stating they had a 'big vision' for the threequel and planned to start work after the 2024 film 'Red One'.
The Jumanji legacy stretches back nearly 30 years. The original film, starring the late Robin Williams, was released on December 15, 1995. The modern reboot began with 2017's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and continued with 2019's Jumanji: The Next Level, both of which were major box office successes. The new film is scheduled for a Christmas 2026 release, exclusively in cinemas.
