The Ridiculous Sequel That Never Was: Jumanji's White House Pitch

The Absurd White House Pitch

In a recent interview with SyFy Wire, Chris Van Allsburg, the author of the classic children's book Jumanji, revealed the preposterous plans that producers had for a sequel to the 1995 Jumanji film. The original movie, starring the late Robin Williams, garnered mixed reviews upon its release but went on to become one of Williams' most iconic films, grossing over $262 million worldwide. The long-gestating plans for a sequel eventually materialized with 2005's Zathura: A Space Adventure, followed by the more modern reboot in 2017's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

Jack Black looking at a video game list of his skills and weaknesses in Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle

However, Van Allsburg disclosed that before Zathura, producers approached him with an unlikely and, in his words, 'totally idiotic' idea for a Jumanji sequel. The proposed sequel would have been set in the White House, with the board game ending up in an antique shop in Normandy and eventually finding its way to the President's possession. The result? All the mayhem that the game could generate would unfold within the White House and the halls of Congress. Van Allsburg's disdain for the concept prompted him to write Zathura instead, a decision that ultimately led to the creation of the space-themed adventure.

The original plan for this sequel included ridiculous scenarios such as a gorilla climbing the Washington Monument in an homage to King Kong and animals being cut in half by a propeller, only to reassemble themselves into different parts of an animal. Van Allsburg described it as a 'lame excuse to see what some CGI artist could do,' expressing his strong disapproval of the concept. The producers acknowledged the absurdity of the idea, stating that the only thing that would prevent them from making it was a better idea.

The Success of Jumanji's New Video Game Concept

Despite the ludicrous initial plan, the Jumanji franchise has experienced significant success with its more recent movies featuring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan. The transformation of the board game into a magical video game, where players assume the roles of in-game avatars, has provided a compelling twist to the original Jumanji concept. The new concept not only allows the actors to showcase their comedic prowess but also offers modern audiences a more relevant pop culture element than the board game ever could.

The updated video game concept has been lauded for its comedic value and its ability to connect with both older and younger audiences. By depicting the game as a '90s-era video console complete with 16-bit graphics, the movies offer a nostalgic yet accessible experience for viewers of different age groups. This approach allows older viewers to reminisce about entertainment trends from their youth while engaging younger audiences with a familiar and visually appealing format.

The success of the new video game concept has paved the way for Jumanji 4, leaving audiences eager to see what Johnson and his co-stars have in store for the next chapter in the franchise. With the promise of more entertaining adventures, the franchise's evolution from the original board game to the modern video game format has proven to be a winning formula.

The Future of Jumanji

As the Jumanji franchise continues to evolve, the question of what lies ahead for the titular game remains unanswered. With plans for Jumanji 4 underway, audiences are eagerly anticipating the next installment and the adventures it will bring. The success of the modernized video game concept has set a high bar for the franchise, and fans are eager to see how the beloved characters will navigate the virtual world in the upcoming movie. As the legacy of Jumanji lives on, the anticipation for the next chapter in the franchise is palpable, and viewers can't wait to embark on another thrilling journey with Johnson and his co-stars.