Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is celebrating the success of Jungle Cruise and the announcement of Jungle Cruise 2. Jungle Cruise premiered in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access on July 30, 2021. Inspired by the Disney park riverboat ride of the same name, the film follows Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) as she employs the help of skipper Frank Wolff (Johnson) to take her down the Amazon in search of a tree with healing capabilities.
The film has performed surprisingly well box office-wise considering its dual theatrical and Disney+ release during the pandemic era. Jungle Cruise garnered $35 million during its first weekend, in addition to Disney+ grosses, and recently became one of five films this year to surpass $100 million domestically. On August 29th, Jungle Cruise 2 was officially confirmed to be in the works with both Johnson and Blunt returning.
Upon Jungle Cruise's passing of $100 million at the domestic box office and confirmation of its sequel, Johnson took to Instagram to celebrate and to express his gratitude to the franchise's fans. Johnson pointed to the fact that the film is one of few this year to surpass the $100 million milestone and expressed gratitude to everyone who viewed the film, whether it was at the theater or from the comfort of their home. His reaction to Jungle Cruise 2 was nothing but enthusiastic as he stated, "Lets get this sequel on the road." Check out his post below:
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Johnson's enthusiasm and celebration is certainly warranted, as Jungle Cruise has reached some impressive milestones. The announcement of the sequel is especially significant as it will make Jungle Cruise Johnson's first true film franchise. While Johnson has starred in a variety of successful film franchises, such as Fast & Furious and Jumanji, both were already established franchises or reboots upon Johnson's entry. Jungle Cruise will be the first franchise that Johnson has led since its inception. Meanwhile, his gratitude towards his fans is also warranted, as much of the film's success can be attributed to Johnson's and Blunt's fans and star power. While the film is a fun family adventure, it cannot be denied that the popularity of both Johnson and Blunt, two of Hollywood's biggest stars, is part of Jungle Cruise's allure.
Overall, Johnson's reaction to Jungle Cruise 2 illustrates the significance of this franchise for him. After all, with Jungle Cruise 2's hasty greenlighting and its similarities to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, there is the possibility of the film spawning multiple sequels. If so, Johnson's character is the best equipped to continue on the franchise due to Wolff's deep ties to the Amazon and his rich background. His celebration is heartwarming to see as he has truly built himself up as an actor in the past decades to the point that he is capable of leading his own franchise. Meanwhile, his gratitude towards the fans of Jungle Cruise also illustrate his humility and good character in the midst of his achievements.
Source: Dwayne Johnson