Jungle Cruise marks The Rock-led franchise
Disney might have a dazzling portfolio of successful movie franchises, but one thing that the House of Mouse has not had in several years is a popular series of movies based on its tourist attractions. After the Johnny Depp-led Pirates of the Caribbean series ran its course, Disney has been in dire need of something to supplant it. Now, Disney has found a worthy successor in Jungle Cruise, which is based on one of its oldest and unchanged tourist attractions. Perhaps due to the combined star power of Blunt and Johnson, Jungle Cruise became one of the most successful films of a pandemic-stricken box office. Because of its success, a sequel was all but guaranteed. In late August, the sequel became official with both Johnson and Blunt confirmed to reprise their roles for the second Jungle Cruise film. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Johnson went on his favorite social media platform and thanked his fans for all the support. The bankable box office star didn’t shy away from pointing out how Jungle Cruise was one of the five films to make more than $100 million domestically this year.
What’s next for Dwayne Johnson?
Johnson’s enthusiasm about the Jungle Cruise sequel is understandable. It’s not just that Jungle Cruise got greenlighted for a sequel. It’s also that this marks his first true film franchise. Even though Johnson has starred in several blockbuster films in the past, most were either reboots or a part of established franchises already. Some features films that he starred in also never got a sequel. Hence, why Jungle Cruise’s success is such a big deal for Johnson. We’re also happy to see Johnson never forgetting to thank the same people that helped put him where he is in the first place. It really does appear that he genuinely loves his fans, although anyone who watched him surprise a tour bus full of unexpecting tourists for no reason could tell right away that he loves what he is doing. As for Johnson’s co-star, Blunt has even more reason to be happy. She currently stars in two of the biggest movies of 2021. A Quiet Place II has made more than $160 million in the domestic box office, with a sequel expected to release sometime in 2023.
