For over 20 years, it seemed like the much-loved fantasy Jumanji was going to be one of those rare movies in Hollywood that is hugely popular but never gets a sequel. However, in 2017, Dwayne Johnson took on the task of continuing the Jumanji franchise without Robin Williams and managed to do it so successfully that not only are we now expecting a third sequel but also a whole range of amusement park rides and themed hotels inspired by the movies.
Merlin Entertainments, the operators of Madame Tussauds and Legoland, has joined forces with Jumanji producers Sony Pictures to set in motion the development of many attractions, lands, and retail outlets in their many theme parks across the world, starting with a new Jumanji ride at Gardaland Resort, Italy. This ride will be called Jumanji – The Adventure and 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.” Themed bedrooms will also be made available at the resort in April this year when the ride opens.
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Mark Fisher, Merlin Entertainments chief development officer, said:
Sony and Merlin Entertainments Will Once Again Team Up to Bring Movies to Life
This is not the first time Sony has collaborated with Merlin Entertainments; having already produced Ghostbusters-based rides and experiences in Germany and New York, Jumanji looks like being their biggest and most expansive project to date. With Merlin Entertainments being behind massively successful parks based around the franchises such as LEGO, Peppa Pig and Marvel, their new Jumanji IP will soon join these as one of their instantly recognizable brands.
According to the information available, the projects will take their main source of inspiration from the new Jumanji movie series starring Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart, which has grossed over $2 billion at the worldwide box office so far. Outside of their part-owned Spider-Man franchise, Jumanji is by far their biggest movie series wholly owned by Sony, so it is not exactly unexpected that they want to capitalize on that.
Speaking of the venture, Sony’s Jeffrey Godsick commented, “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. I am very pleased to expand our relationship with the great team at Merlin.”
