Fans who have always dreamed of stepping into the world of Jumanji will soon get the chance as a number of theme park attractions based on the films are on the way.
Sony Pictures announced a deal with Merlin Entertainment that will see a series of Jumanji-themed hotels and theme park attractions open across Europe and North America. The first of these will be Jumanji - The Adventure, a ride at Merlin’s Gardaland resort in Italy, which is due to open next month. The ride will "transport guests to the fantastic world of Jumanji, where an exhilarating adventure awaits them: a journey full of pitfalls, surprises and dangers through the wild jungle." As well as the ride, there will also be a "simultaneous launch of fully themed Jumanji hotel bedrooms."
Mark Fisher, the Chief Development Officer for Merlin Entertainments, said, "Our Merlin team are already hard at work developing brilliant creative concepts, which will bring to life the blockbuster-famous Jumanji film across our Theme Parks and Waterparks. We can’t wait to deliver thrilling rides and experiences for guests and film fans alike! The game is certainly on!"
Jeffrey Godsick, the EVP of Global Partnerships and Brand Management and Head of Location Based Entertainment at Sony was equally enthusiastic about the deal. "Merlin is the ideal company to bring the world of Jumanji to life. Their commitment to strong storytelling, quality of craftsmanship and fantastic guest experiences ensure that fans of Jumanji will be fully immersed into the worlds of our films and have an unforgettable experience."
This isn't the first Jumanji-themed attraction to be announced. In April 2021, Sony confirmed that it had struck a deal to bring Jumanji Jungle Adventure to Columbia Pictures' Aquaverse, a waterpark in Thailand. The attraction was scheduled to soft launch in October 2021 with waterslides added throughout 2022, but continuing problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic delayed construction.
Fans unable to make it to a Jumanji theme park or hotel can still look forward to another film in the recent Jumanji saga. Movie producer Hiram Garcia confirmed in January 2022 that development on a third movie was going ahead. "We just were discussing the pitch the other day. We're bringing it into Sony shortly. But that movie's going to happen," Garcia confirmed. Rumors suggest that the upcoming film might star Dwayne Johnson's Red Notice co-star Ryan Reynolds, but this is unconfirmed.
Source: Sony Pictures