After Jumanji, Rampage, and Moana, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is the man to call for family action-adventure movies – and he’s hoping to pull off a Pirates of the Caribbean-esque hit in Disney’s Jungle Cruise, based on the Disneyland theme park ride. Ever-active on Instagram, Johnson has been posting occasional updates from the production – and in his latest, he reveals the first look at Jack Whitehall’s character.
“On set of our DISNEY’S JUNGLE CRUISE and I made friends with a big ‘ol hungry Anaconda,” he wrote. “While my brave co-star and good buddy @jackwhitehall did his best to smile thru his fear of snakes. Good times with the animals of the Amazon. Next, me and Jack will swim with the piranhas.. completely against his will. The adventure of the lifetime.” Whitehall’s character and casting caused some controversy due to an early report claiming that he will play a “hugely effete, very camp” openly gay man, sparking a debate around representation and opportunity for gay actors in Hollywood.
A previous Instagram post from Johnson revealed a huge practical set being used for the shoot. The film, also starring Emily Blunt, is set to arrive in cinemas on 11 October, 2019.
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