While the upcoming Jumanji follow up, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle isn’t a direct sequel to the original Robin Williams film, it does have a loose connection, according to co-star Jack Black. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Black had this to say:
“We’re exploring this jungle and trying to conquer the game; it’s life or death. But while we’re there, we find clues left behind by [Williams’ character Alan Parrish]. He built up a full-blown jungle house, similar to a Swiss Family Robinson situation. It’s like he’s there helping us without actually being there.”
That’s well and good and all, but there’s one problem with it. The climax of Jumanji has Alan and Sarah (Bonnie Hunt) back in 1969 with their memories of the future (for some reason). As a result, Alan is NEVER sucked into the game, and he grows up to live a normal life, as opposed to the life he led growing up in the jungles of the Jumanji game (Sarah, it should be noted, is forced to live her ENTIRE LIFE OVER AGAIN, which could be almost tragic had she not fallen in love with Alan). If Alan is never sucked into the game, how did he leave a jungle house for the new crew to find? Did the writers not actually watch the original? I guess we’ll find out more when the film is released on December 22, 2017.