MEET THE CAST: DISNEY’S JUNGLE CRUISE CAST WITH DWAYNE JOHNSON AND EMILY BLUNT Thursday 29 July, 2021
Inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park ride, Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” is an adventure-filled, rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton. Lily travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank’s questionable services to guide her downriver on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. Lily is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities—possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate—and mankind’s—hangs in the balance.
TRAILERS
Jaume Collet-Serra directs the film, which stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramírez and Jack Whitehall, with Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. The producers are John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment; Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia of Seven Bucks Productions; and Beau Flynn of Flynn Picture Co., with Scott Sheldon and Doug Merrifield serving as executive producers. The story is by John Norville & Josh Goldstein and Glenn Ficarra & John Requa, and the screenplay is by Michael Green and Glenn Ficarra & John Requa. Disney’s “Jungle Cruise” releases in U.S. theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on July 30, 2021.
Q&A with the CAST
Walt Disney himself was the first skipper of the Jungle Cruise. Here we are 66 years later, and Dewayne, you’re the first cinematic Captain or skipper for Jungle Cruise. How special is that for you, and how does the film capture the spirit of the ride?
Dwayne Johnson: It’s an honor. You said it. Emily and I, that’s not lost on us the responsibility and just the cool factor, that we have an opportunity to deliver something to the world that’s been iconic and beloved over the years. So, it was a real honor for us.Emily rode the ride for the first time the other day. It was beautiful, and it was just awesome for me to watch her experience the ride in that way. And then for us to go to the premiere and watch everyone around us experience the movie…
Emily Blunt: It’s like a joy bomb. It’s like this nostalgic joy bomb. It’s the movies you grew up watching, and that’s why we signed on. That’s why we wanted to do it. What was the first movie you saw in theaters? It was Raiders [of the Lost Ark]. You remember these movies.
The actual Disney Jungle Cruise is such an iconic ride. What about the attraction spoke to you and made you want to work on the film?
Johnson: I would say nostalgia. I had ridden the ride when I was a kid. Many moons later I went to Disney World for the first time and road the ride there too as well. So, it had a nostalgic element to it when it was first presented to me. But also, the opportunity that we had to create something that was unique and special.
Whitehall: The element to the Jungle Cruise ride that I like the most, is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously and that is definitely something that we took over into the movie. It has such ambition and scale, it’s beautiful, and the sets are incredible. It’s got all of that, but at the heart of it, it’s not a movie that takes itself too seriously. It has wit, it has humor. It’s got some of the best puns I’ve ever heard.
The chemistry is strong both on and offscreen between Dewayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. How instant was that connection when you both met?
Blunt: It was instant. We were pals for life. I knew when we met. We had this rapport like ping pong, back and forth so quickly. And I just thought we’re gonna have a good time. I knew it.
Johnson: You hope to get lucky with your cast, and you try to have some chemistry. Emily and I have been talking a lot about chemistry these past couple of weeks and a lot of times you fake it, you know, ’cause you’re acting, but…
Blunt: He’s been faking it for years. (Laughter)
Emily, your character has been compared to being The female Indiana Jones. What were some of the influences you used for your character Lily?
Blunt: I was very inspired by Harrison. I loved what Harrison did because he was so human as an action star. A little bit unslick, which kind of made him even cooler to watch. No one wears a hat like Harrison, so I can’t presume that I can rival him in that sense. But he fell on his face and he was scared of stuff and everything had this mayhem to it. The action had levity to it, and I loved that as a kid. I remember just being so inspired by him and rewatching all the films before I did Jungle Cruise.
The Jungle Cruise has incredible stunts and action sequences throughout the entire runtime. What did you find most difficult?
Blunt: The vine swing. It was the most challenging because he would not let me get one straight take in. He pushed it so far every time to try and make me laugh on that vine swing. We shot that all day. We didn’t get one straight one. Every time, I was like, just tell me what you’re gonna say this time, just so I can be prepared. And…
Johnson: I wouldn’t tell her.
Blunt: Every time he’d throw in some awful improv that would make me laugh.
Edgar, this is your first Disney movie. What was it like seeing yourself for the first time after the effects were all finished?
Edgar Ramírez: I was very happy. I was very happy that those snakes weren’t anywhere near me during the shoot. (Laughter) ‘Cause I’m super afraid of snakes. We shot in real locations and we dressed them to look like the Amazon. It’s incredible. I come from an Amazonian country, and I saw the movie for the first time two days ago at the premiere. And guys…I’m so happy. I loved it.
Jungle Cruiseis in theaters and available on Disney+ via Premier Access from Friday July 30, 2021.
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Walt Disney himself was the first skipper of the Jungle Cruise. Here we are 66 years later, and Dewayne, you’re the first cinematic Captain or skipper for Jungle Cruise. How special is that for you, and how does the film capture the spirit of the ride?
My son saw this advertised on the side of a bus yesterday and now really wants to see this movie.
So lovely to read more about the cast. I really want to see this movie as it looks really fun x
Oh wow, such an exciting movie especially because all the actors are really good. If it’s from Disney, then it’s worth watching.
Ohh thank you for sharing, I am going to be watching this next week!
The Rock is always good in his movies. He lights up the screen and is a great actor. I will see this one.
We’ve been seeing adverts for this movie. It sounds great. I’d love to see it with the kids, I’m sure they’d love it too.
this movie was so good!! I lovee it. I am a big Disney fan. they did a really good one on this movie 🙂
I can’t wait for this to be released at my local cinema! Looks like it is going to be an amazing movie!
I didn’t even know about this! I love the Rock and Emily Blunt..what an unlikely duo but looks like a fun film for the family.
This looks like a fun movie for the holidays! Another Emily blunt fab here 🙂
My kids love these kinds of movies!! We are excited for this.
Looks like a great movie for the summer holidays!
Can’t wait to see this with my kids! Sounds like such a fun movie.
I am so looking forward to watching this movie! I think it has a fantastic cast and the trailer was itself very entertaining.
This looks fantastic! Great movie for the entire family for sure.
This movie Jungle Cruise sounds great! I can’t wait to watch this film.
We went to see this the other week and it was a fun film. We love the Rock so this was perfect for us x