Actor Kirsten Dunst may be known for blockbuster features like Spider-Man and Bring It On. But one of her first projects, Jumanji, held a special place in fans’ hearts everywhere. Being a fan of the first film as well, she might’ve been just as shocked as everyone else to hear about Jumanji’s more modern sequel.
Kirsten Dunst wished they came to her after making the ‘Jumanji’ sequel
Kirsten Dunst | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic`
Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle was a pleasant surprise when it first hit theaters. Although it was met with skepticism from a lot of the original’s fans, it later went on to achieve both critical and commercial acclaim. Welcome to the Jungle took a lot of creative liberties that made it stand apart from its predecessor, however. For instance, none of the original Jumanji cast members, including Dunst, returned to headline the blockbuster.
Instead, the sequel focused on a new roster of stars that included Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. Jake Kasden directed the film, hoping to upgrade the Jumanji franchise with a more contemporary audience in mind while staying true to the source material.
“What would the game be like today? That was the approach we took in terms of updating the first film and expanding on the story from the first film,” Kasden once told iHorror. “The game is more challenging in this film; it’s more difficult, and it’s evolved. This Jumanji seeks out kids, teenagers, and it has a reason for doing this, which is that it wants to show kids, show the players of the game, how to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. This film continues with the game from the first film but not the characters. That being said, this film contains all of the elements that people loved, that I loved, in the first film, and I think it’s a fitting tribute to the original film and to Robin Williams.”
Dunst, however, was left out of the conversation when it came to Welcome to the Jungle. Speaking with ET, she quipped that she felt snubbed by the cast and crew.
“I honestly didn’t even know they were making a Jumanji movie,” Dunst said. “I’m offended I haven’t been reached out to be in it!”
However, Dunst added that she wouldn’t at all be opposed to returning to her Jumanji roots if asked.
“That’d be fun,” she added. “I would definitely do something in that if they wanted me to.”
Kirsten Dunst hasn’t starred in a ‘Jumanji’ movie due to complications
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The rebooted Jumanji franchise had quite a few opportunities to cast Dunst in the project. Beyond the 2017 film, the series also spawned the 2019 sequel Jumanji: The Next Level. But Dunst was absent from that project, too. Kasden recently revealed that he’d be excited to include Dunst in potential future Jumanji installments. But the storyline for the original made it difficult.
Source:: Showbiz Cheat Sheet