Jungle Cruise stars reuniting in new sports drama
Johnson and Blunt to star as a married couple in upcoming film
Pairing a 6ft 5 wrestling champion with a petite, Oscar-winning British actress might seem unusual, but it works brilliantly. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Emily Blunt co-starred in the 2021 Disney hit, Jungle Cruise. Their on-screen chemistry was evident, and their off-screen stories were equally intriguing.
The film, inspired by a Disneyland theme park ride featuring a river journey through perilous wildlife, grossed over $220 million at the box office, slightly above its $200 million budget. Johnson earned $13 million more than Blunt, who received $9 million for her role.
Before filming began, Johnson, then 52, was already cast as the lead. He was determined to have Blunt, 41 and married to John Krasinski, join him. To persuade her, he recorded a video for the producers to show Blunt, though he had never met or communicated with her before. He admitted to the Hollywood Reporter that he filmed the message five or six times, stressing her importance to the movie. However, Blunt initially ghosted him, prompting the director to fly to her Brooklyn home to convince her in person, which also failed.
Official Trailer | #JungleCruise starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Coming to theatres and Disney+ simultaneously, July 30th.
— LetsCinema (@letscinema) May 27, 2021
Blunt later responded to Johnson, teasingly remarking, “I thought the video was sweet. Didn’t know you were going to be so sensitive.” She eventually agreed to the role after reading the script and learning it had an Indiana Jones vibe. Plus, a $9 million payday is hard to refuse.
Fans of Blunt and Johnson can look forward to their reunion in The Smashing Machine, a biographical sports drama where they will portray a married couple. Johnson will play Mark Kerr, a former wrestler and mixed martial artist, with Blunt as his partner. The film is slated for release next year.
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- UNILAD explores Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s rumored ‘no lose’ clause in action during an awkward red carpet interview with Amelia Dimoldenberg, where his winning mentality and contract stipulations are highlighted.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who are the main stars of Jungle Cruise?
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Emily Blunt.
What is Jungle Cruise based on?
It’s based on the Disneyland theme park ride.
How much did Jungle Cruise gross at the box office?
A little over $220 million.
Why did Emily Blunt initially reject the Jungle Cruise role?
She hadn’t read the script and wasn’t persuaded by the video from Johnson.
What upcoming movie will Johnson and Blunt star in together?
The Smashing Machine, a biographical sports drama.
