Stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt have indicated that a sequel to their 2021 Disney adventure film Jungle Cruise is unlikely to happen. In a recent interview, they addressed rumors of a follow-up, citing shifts in Disney's leadership after COVID-19 as a key factor. The original movie, inspired by the classic Disneyland ride, earned over $220 million worldwide despite a $200 million budget.
Interview Insights
During an appearance on EW’s The Awardist podcast, Johnson and Blunt directly responded to speculation about revisiting their characters from Jungle Cruise. 'I don’t think so,' they stated together on the potential for a sequel. Johnson elaborated, noting changes at Disney under new leadership post-COVID: 'COVID shifted our business in a lot of ways. I think they looked at that property and thought, we did it once, not sure if we should revisit it again. Despite whether or not our chemistry was great.' Blunt echoed the sentiment, adding that 'they did not want to set sail again, and that’s fine.'
Film Background
Jungle Cruise, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, draws from the iconic Disneyland attraction that debuted in July 1955 in Anaheim, California. The story centers on a riverboat captain, played by Johnson, who guides a scientist (Blunt) and her brother through perilous jungles in search of the mythical Tree of Life. They face off against a rival German expedition and ancient cursed conquistadores. The ensemble cast also includes Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti.
Released on July 30, 2021, the film launched simultaneously in theaters and on digital platforms. It replicated the ride's presence in other Disney parks, including Florida’s Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland. While the box office performance was mixed given its high budget, the actors' on-screen rapport had fueled sequel talks until now.