<P> Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a 2017 American adventure comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, and Jeff Pinkner, based on a story by McKenna . Part of the Jumanji franchise, the film is a sequel to 1995's Jumanji, which was based on the 1981 children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg . It pays tribute to Robin Williams, the star of the first film, by mentioning his character's name . In addition, a replica of the board game piece used by Williams' character also appears as a clue for the Jumanji game's new players . The film stars Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, and Bobby Cannavale . Set twenty - one years after Jumanji, it follows four teenagers who are transported into the video game world of Jumanji and play as their chosen characters . Joining another player, they must overcome the game's magical power to win and return home . </P> <P> Principal photography began in Honolulu in September 2016 and ended in Atlanta in December . Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle premiered at the Grand Rex in Paris on December 5, 2017, and was theatrically released in the United States on December 20 in RealD 3D and IMAX . The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who called it a "pleasant surprise" and praised the cast . It has grossed over $962 million worldwide, the fifth - highest - grossing film of 2017 and the 40th - highest - grossing film of all time . A sequel is scheduled to be released in December 2019 . </P> <P> In 1996 in Brantford, New Hampshire, teenager Alex Vreeke receives the Jumanji board game which was found by his father on a beach after it was thrown over a bridge by Alan Parrish and Sarah Whittle 27 years earlier . Alex sets the game aside . That night, it transforms into a video game cartridge which catches Alex's attention when he is awakened by the Jumanji drums and he is transported into the game . </P> <P> Twenty years later, in 2016, four Brantford High School students serve detention: Spencer Gilpin, caught writing an essay for former friend Anthony "Fridge" Johnson (also in detention); Bethany Walker, who made a video call during an English - class quiz and Martha Kaply, who refused to participate in gym class . They are sent to the school basement to prepare magazines for recycling and to think about their future . Fridge discovers Alex's discarded video - game system when he explores the basement, and he and Spencer set up the game . Although it has five playable characters, the first one cannot be selected . Spencer and Fridge choose two characters, and the girls choose their own . When Spencer presses "Start", they are transported into the game . </P>

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