Awkwafina Will Be in the 'Jumanji' Sequel, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Confirms on Twitter
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson confirmed that rapper/actress Awkwafina is joining the cast of the 'Jumanji' sequel.
Sequels, remakes, and reboots are everywhere now. Walk into your local theater any day of the week and you'll be able to buy a ticket to one. Sign in to Netflix any night and, chances are, the app's algorithm will recommend at least one to you. Finding sequels, remakes, and reboots is easy. Finding good ones? That's tougher.
That's part of what made Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which came out in December 2017, so impressive. The sequel came more than 20 years after the 90s movie we all grew up with, with new characters and a new take on the game, but it was good. It was funny, like literally laugh-out-loud funny. It paid homage to the original movie in a really organic and satisfying way while still being its own thing. It hit the notes that fans of the old movie needed, but still stood on its own.
And storytelling success translated to box office success. The movie brought in almost a billion dollars worldwide, which meant another sequel was basically inevitable. Ready to get more excited about the next Jumanji movie than you were already? Awkwafina, aka the best part of Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, is joining the cast. The studio hasn't confirmed the news just yet, but the franchise's star, Dwayne "Forever The Rock" Johnson, did, in a fanboy-level tweet:
She’s ready to play in JUMANJI! Welcome the super talented @awkwafina to our cast! She lit it up in “Crazy Rich Asians” and it’s gonna be so much fun workin’ with her. Can’t wait.And when @KevinHart4real annoys you on set, just do what I do and kick him in the balls. #JUMANJI https://t.co/3FgMJ2q5H8January 5, 2019
"She’s ready to play in JUMANJI!" the actor wrote. "Welcome the super talented @awkwafina to our cast! She lit it up in “Crazy Rich Asians” and it’s gonna be so much fun workin’ with her. Can’t wait. And when @KevinHart4real annoys you on set, just do what I do and kick him in the balls. #JUMANJI."
Awkwafina seemed to confirm the news as well, replying to Johnson's tweet with a series of prayer hand emojis.
🙏🙏🙏🙏January 5, 2019
Earlier this week, Variety reported that Danny DeVito had also joined the upcoming sequel's cast.
"The magic of Jumanji is who becomes who. And the idea of Danny DeVito joining our cast was too irresistible and something we knew we wanted to deliver to our audience this upcoming Christmas. Dwanta Claus loves everyone," Johnson said of the casting news.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Details about the plot and the new characters Awkwafina and DeVito will play are still being kept totally under wraps for the time being.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
'Woman of the Hour' Adapts a Shocking True Crime Case About a Murderer on a Dating Show—Here Is What Really Happened
You'll be surprised by what's fact and what's fiction in the new Netflix movie directed by Anna Kendrick.
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Show Up Together at the Same Event as Jennifer Lopez
The friendly exes arrived together while J.Lo separately attended the community event.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Lady Kitty Spencer Reveals How Her Cousin Prince William "Inspires" Her
"His efforts have made a significant impact."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic Characters
Talk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The Question on Everyone's Lips: Did Beyoncé Skip the 2024 MTV VMAs?
It's been a few years since she last graced the carpet with her presence.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Why Isn't Selena Gomez at the 2024 VMAs?
Her absence became even more noticeable after her bestie Taylor Swift showed up.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Thought Ben Affleck Was a "Changed Man" But Being Married to Him Was "Impossible"
"Friends think he is selfish, sullen, impossible to please most of the time and negative."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton Published
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner Published
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors Published