Disney recently confirmed that its Jungle Cruise movie, which was slated for a July release, will come out next summer due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The film’s star, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, offered his thoughts in an Instagram video.
"This summer we had a very big movie, a highly anticipated movie," Johnson said. "We were very excited about it...I know you guys were excited about it too. A lot of you are wondering what's going to happen considering the pandemic we are dealing with around the world...We are officially pushing Jungle Cruise by a year. So, Summer 2021."
Johnson said there were "a lot of conversations" between the parties involved before they all came to their decision. According to him, everyone was in agreement.
"We had some tremendous conversations with ourself, Seven Bucks, Disney leadership team, about making sure that the Disney theme parks are fully operational, the Disney cruise lines are fully operational, functional, sailing the oceans — delivering the joy to the families all around the world as they love doing," Johnson explained. "But more importantly than that, it was very important that everyone had emotional confidence. Not only here in the states, in America, but also around the world. And that emotional confidence allows us to get our kids back to school...It allows us to get back to work...it allows our Disney employees, our Disney team members to get back to work, as well, and spread that joy and happiness as they love doing and they're so proud to do."
Johnson concluded his video by thanking movie fans for being patient during such a time of uncertainty. "We're all trying to manage this thing around the world," Johnson said. "Stay healthy, stay safe. Talk soon."
Jungle Cruise, which is based on Disney Parks' classic attraction of the same name, is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and stars Dwayne Johnson, Jack Whitehall, Emily Blunt, Jesse Plemons, Paul Giamatti and Èdgar Ramírez. The film will arrive in theaters on July 30, 2021.