Producer Beau Flynn is optimistic about the success of Jungle Cruise 2. His confidence is mainly boosted because of the enthusiasm both Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt have shown for the project. The film is based on Disneyland’s first ride, The Jungle Cruise, the latest in a series of successful “ride-to-film” adaptations like The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. After its early release on Disney+, the film earned $221 million at the box office, surpassing many people’s expectations. In addition, the inclusion of well-known actors like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt helped promote the film.
Since the opening weekend of the first film, when Johnson teased that he was in talks with Disney for a sequel. Although the film’s medium-level box office and Disney+ numbers, speculation has been rife about a second installment. Finally, in August of 2021, it was announced that development on the sequel had begun, with Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in talks to reprise their roles. Jaume Collet-Serra might also return to direct. Over a year after it was announced that a sequel to Jungle Cruise was in the works, one of the film’s producers has discussed the sequel’s progress.
Beau Flynn, the film’s producer, seems confident in an interview with Collider. He believes the success of the first film and the guaranteed success of a sequel are largely due to the chemistry between Johnson and Blunt. Flynn thinks there is more to learn about these multifaceted characters because the audience so far has only got a small taste of who they really are. Take a look at the transcript below to read Flynn’s full explanation:
On ‘Jungle Cruise 2’, obviously, it’s something we really want, I think more important than what Hiram and I want, I think is Dwayne and Emily have created such an incredible bond. Their chemistry is extraordinary in the first movie, and I know now they know these characters so intimately. I know that they have big ideas of where they can take that universe and world.
It is possible that Jungle Cruise will become a massive film franchise, much like the Pirates of the Caribbean series. When the sequel is finally released, Frank and Lily may embark on another quest for an ancient treasure in the Amazon on their own. In addition, the plot could expand the universe and pave the way for future installments, perhaps even forming an overarching narrative spanning multiple films. In the same vein as other Disney ride-to-film adaptations, this film would enrich the ride’s narrative and, depending on how well it does, even alter the attraction itself.
Fans of both the ride and the film gave Jungle Cruise high marks, so the announcement of a sequel came as no surprise. Even though it comes years after the original’s pandemic release, Jungle Cruise 2 is still expected to draw large audiences to theatres. Blunt and Johnson’s chemistry in the first Jungle Cruise was fantastic, so hopefully, their performance in the sequel, which is now available to stream on Disney+, will live up to the high standards set by the original.
