The Rock Debuts ‘Jumanji’ Movie Trailer And Explains Touching Reason For Reboot

Las Vegas — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has no problem admitting he’s a fan of the original “Jumanji” movie.

During CinemaCon 2017 Gala Opening Night Event: Sony Pictures Highlights its 2017 Summer and Beyond Films for Columbia Pictures at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace Monday night, the actor revealed his love for the 1995 original and its star, the late Robin Williams.

“The original was a phenomenal movie,” Johnson told CinemaCon audiences during the presentation. After sharing he wanted to pay “homage” to the film but enhance it, making it both global and different, Johnson revealed the time he met Williams, and it was at CinemaCon.

After leaving the stage during an event, Johnson said he noticed Williams backstage. Wanting to remain in his presence a little longer, Johnson said he pretended to be busy but was secretly “fan boying” over the original “Jumanji” star. The two eventually talked and Johnson beamed while talking about their encounter.

Johnson’s time onstage continued with the appearance by his “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” co-stars Nick Jonas, Karen Gillan, Jack Black and Kevin Hart (who appeared via a pre-recored tape). After performing their set-made theme song, which they quipped will hopefully make it into the film, Sony previewed the first trailer for the winter comedy.

Unlike the original, the “Jumanji” sequel follows a group of four very different high school students sent to detention. For their punishment they’re instructed to clean out the school’s basement and it’s there they come across an old video game system which includes the game Jumanji. They decide to play only to become the characters in the game, many of which are the exact opposites of themselves. (Black’s counterpart is the true gem of the trailer.)

After learning they have three lives in the game, the teens are sent to return a mystical stone and break a curse in the jungle of Jumanji if they ever want to return to their normal lives.

While Jumanji looks enchanting on-screen, Black revealed making the film was anything but. The actor called filming in the “nooks and crannies” on location in Hawaii “pure hell.”

“[Leonardo DiCaprio] braced cold tundra for ‘The Revenant.’ I don’t want to hear it,” Black quipped.

The “Jumanji” reboot swings into theaters on Christmas Day.