Doctor Who and Guardians of the Galaxy actor Karen Gillan has just decided to roll the dice and play a game of Jumanji with The Rock, Kevin Hart, Nick Jonas, and Jack Black.
Deadline reports Gillan has landed a major role as “Martha” in Jumanji. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has recently gone on record to say “We are NOT making a reboot, but rather a continuation of the awesome JUMANJI story.” They'll be starting principal photography in Honolulu, Hawaii very soon and the film has a release date of July 28, 2017.
Gillan recently wrapped on James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 where she reprises her role as Nebula.
Johnson wrote on his Instagram about the news saying Gillan completed their Jumanji family:
Between myself, @kevinhart4real Jack Black and @NickJonas we've searched far and wide to find the one person to complete our #JUMANJI family. This isn't just any role, but in many ways the most important role of the movie. We had to find a girl.
But not just any girl.
A girl who has “Chutzpah”. Guts, nerve and talent to stand her ground and hold her own against Nick's cool rockstar ways, Jack's relentless energy and genius, Kevin's masterful timing and skills and the big, brown, bald tattooed guy who just simply stands there and oooooozes smoldering, captivating, sizzling, can't take your eyes off this brilliant manly man.. never mind I got drunk on the ol' DJ kool aid again.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to announce a girl who's playing the most important role in our movie – the talented, beautiful and down for a Scottish fight at any time, Ms @KarenGillanOfficial.
And yes, this is the girl who is so bad ass she shaved her freaking head for Guardians of the Galaxy.
We start production next month in Hawaii and as many of you already know, this isn't a remake or reboot, but a continuation of the awesome JUMANJI story we love. Jake “The Snake” Kasdan directing, Matt “OG” Tolmach producing. Yup, I give everyone nicknames. The adventure and fun continues… #JUMANJI #KarenGillan #RESPECT #GingerTough
Gillan responded on Twitter by saying she's “Ready for the Jungle!”
I love that Johnson loves Gillan and knows she has a lot of talent but I really wished he didn't call her “girl” throughout his message here. She's a grown woman. I know it's easy to fall into the girl/guy thing with friends, but considering the film will likely also star some actual children, it comes off very strange here. Especially how many times he says it. Not a huge deal, and I'm sure Gillan doesn't mind, but it's one of my pet peeves.
Anyway, I'm excited about this news. I've been a big fan of Gillan's since her time as Amy Pond on Doctor Who. I've gotten the chance to speak to her a few times at press events and she's simply wonderful. Glad to see her star continue to rise.