This interview with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle cast was part of a Sony-sponsored press trip junket. All opinions remain my own.
I love when actors are as nice in person as they seem on the big screen, and when Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Jack Black, Joe Jonas and Karen Gillan from Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle walked into the room for our interview, they were as nice as nice could be. In fact, Joe Jonas made it a point to greet and shake hands with all of us before we got started.
Beyond the action and comedy, there’s a lot of heart in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and when asked which theme in the movie was their favorite, all four of the actors chose something that reflected that.
Interview with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Cast
On Their Favorite Themes in the Movie
Karen Gillan — Embracing Who You Are
“These four teenagers have difficulty doing that and it’s not until they inhabit the body of other people that they’re able to appreciate their own attributes and personalities and then they just have to find a way back to them… Embrace all of your weirdness and awkwardness.”
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson – Embracing Who You Are & Friendship
Yes, he chose two but he smolders, so he can do whatever he wants. “The ideology of being who you are and understanding that… it’s the hardest thing to do… being ok with who you are.” Also, “the notion of friends who are from different pockets in high school and different cliques and wouldn’t necessarily get along or be together but end up coming together and realizing they do like these people.”
Jack Black — Not Judging People By Their Outward Appearance
“The use of avatars in our movie lent itself to that theme. Looking outside of people’s cliques.. but looking deeper into their hearts to see their strength of character…”
Joe Jonas – Irony of Technology
“The irony that they get sucked into the game, but once they’re in there, there are no phones, no technology. It’s all disconnected.” He went on to talk about the importance of unplugging and how he encourages everyone around him to do more of it and poked fun at his 17-year old brother who clearly struggles with that.
Jack piped up to say he likes to unplug and jump in the pool with his boys because his phone is only water-resistant, so he’ll swim until it’s back to 100. Ha! This is why we love you, Jack.
Go see Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in theaters beginning December 20th.
