emily blunt interview jungle cruise

Screen Rant

Dwayne johnson & emily blunt interview: jungle cruise.

Jungle Cruise stars Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt talk about honoring the legacy of the iconic Disney ride and the inspiration behind their characters.

Disney returns to its iconic parks for another summer blockbuster, this time transforming the Jungle Cruise ride into a feature film. In the fantasy adventure movie, out in theaters and Disney+ Premier Access on July 3o, Frank “Skipper” Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) and Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) go on a search for the Tree of Life.

Related: Every Upcoming Dwayne Johnson Movie & TV Show

Johnson and Blunt spoke to Screen Rant about honoring the long legacy of the Jungle Cruise ride and their favorite moments from the film.

Screen Rant: Dwayne, when Disney opened the Jungle Cruise in 1955, Walt Disney himself was the first skipper of the Jungle Cruise. Here we are 66 years later, and you're the first cinematic Captain or skipper for Jungle Cruise . How special is that for you, and how does the film capture the spirit of the ride?

Dwayne Johnson: It's an honor. You said it. Emily and I, that's not lost on us the responsibility and just the cool factor, that we have an opportunity to deliver something to the world that's been iconic and beloved over the years. So, it was a real honor for us.  Emily rode the ride for the first time the other day. It was beautiful, and it was just awesome for me to watch her experience the ride in that way. And then for us to go to the premiere and watch everyone around us experience the movie, which is - as you call it - such a... Emily Blunt: It's like a joy bomb. It's like this nostalgic joy bomb. It's the movies you grew up watching, and that's why we signed on. That's why we wanted to do it. What was the first movie you saw in theaters? It was Raiders [of the Lost Ark]. You remember these movies.

Emily, I love Lily’s spirit in the film. To me, it really felt like a throwback to one of those action-adventure stars, like Indiana Jones . What were some of the influences you used for that character?

Dwayne Johnson: I thought -  Emily Blunt: [laughs] No, you've talked, alright? You chewed up the scenery on that last one, and it's my turn. Okay? [both laugh] My inspiration was Baywatch. Huge inspiration.  No, I was very inspired by Harrison. I loved what Harrison did because he was so human as an action star. A little bit unslick, which kind of made him even cooler to watch. No one wears a hat like Harrison, so I can't presume that I can rival him in that sense. But he fell on his face and he was scared of stuff and everything had this mayhem to it. The action had levity to it, and I loved that as a kid. I remember just being so inspired by him and rewatching all the films before I did Jungle Cruise.  Romancing the Stone was another one I must have seen about 50 or 60 times.

Dwayne, who's your favorite Eighth Wonder in the world? The backside of water or Andre the Giant? And Emily, what is your favorite Frank Skipper pun?

Emily Blunt: I like the one about the juice. Dwayne Johnson: The juice is good. I used to work in an orange juice factory, but I couldn't concentrate. Emily Blunt: So, they fired you. They really put the squeeze on you. Dwayne Johnson: They put the squeeze on me, you know what I mean?  Emily Blunt: I like that one. That played well last night, and I did laugh. That was the first one I laughed at. I hate the puns. What's your favorite eighth wonder of the world?  Dwayne Johnson: It's gotta be Andre the Giant.  Emily Blunt: No, he's not. Dwayne Johnson: Yeah, in the wrestling world, he's considered the eighth wonder of the world. She was getting ready to get on me. "Uh, no a**hole."

Dwayne Johnson: I want to say one thing before we leave, and you'll appreciate this. The t-shirt he's [the interviewer] wearing is a guy who didn't have to be, but he was so good to me when I was a rookie professional wrestler . His name is Bret "The Hitman" Hart. He comes from a very famous wrestling family.  But at that time, he was World Champion. And there were a lot of guys in that world at that time, in 96, that didn't necessarily embrace me.  Emily Blunt: When you were the good guy?  Dwayne Johnson: Just when I was a rookie coming in. Because everyone is hungry for their spots, and there's a lot of sharks in the water. But that guy, Brett, just showed me how it's done.  Emily Blunt: Why do you think he was nice to you?  Dwayne Johnson: I think because our families knew each other, and he knew that I came from a lineage of pro-wrestling and that I had a real love and respect for wrestling. He was just a great guy, and I always like to give him props where I can.

Next:  Jungle Cruise Review: Blunt & Johnson Are Electric In Disney's Pirates Riff

Key Release Dates

Jungle cruise.

'Jungle Cruise': Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt Tell Us What Makes a Great Disney Adventure Movie

Forget 'Romancing the Stone,' it's time to Romance the Rock.

Deep in the Amazon jungle, along a riverbank hiding more dangers than you could ever imagine, lies a Brazilian port town bustling with activity. Traders and merchants from all over the early 20th-century world barter in the marketplace, travelers and laborers alike kick back with a hard drink in the hotel or taven, and tourists travel up and down the river to take in the exotic locale. It's a place as alive and thriving as the jungle surrounding it. And just as dangerous, too. Nilo, a shrewd and opportunistic businessman, owns this town and just about everything in it, but it's the one thing he doesn't own that has his full attention when we arrive.

Nilo, as you may have guessed, is not the hero of Disney's Jungle Cruise . That title falls to the leads of the action-adventure picture, with Dwayne Johnson stepping up as Frank Wolff, the captain of the ramshackle river cruiser La Quila, and Emily Blunt traveling abroad as the secret-seeking explorer Lily Houghton. They cross paths with the antagonistic Nilo early on in the upcoming Disney picture, but we had a chance to catch up with Johnson and Blunt just as the hard-working crew was prepping that very action piece in the heart of the Hawaii-based set.

RELATED: New Trailer for Disney's 'Jungle Cruise' Has Strong 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Vibes

From their very first introduction -- Johnson in his signature captain's getup complete with suspenders and cap, Blunt in her fashion-forward jodhpurs and a rather large belt -- we could tell that the leading duo's chemistry on set and on screen was something special. Much of their conversation with us can't be captured here since the timing and tone of their banter loses something in translation to the printed medium. Needless to say, if they're as fun on the big screen as they were in this brief chat amidst even more brief rain showers, moviegoers are in for a fun experience this July 30th.

What follows is our set visit interview with Johnson and Blunt about their characters, their sense of Jungle Cruise as they were filming it, and more from their experiences as Hollywood veterans, but do keep in mind, for context's sake, that these answers come from a pre-COVID world roughly three years ago.

Emily Blunt on playing Lily Houghton, a tough and progressive character in the late 1910s:

Emily Blunt: You know, I look for characters that I have an in with, and that's always the first thing. Even if they're delusional and crazy, it's like you have sort of some in with them. And there was something about this character. She is delusional, crazy. She just was so tenacious and exciting, determined, completely free-spirited, and kind of weird, and a really interesting character, and not just the kind of damsel in distress that you would imagine in this kind of genre, or the sort of straight-laced, British person, which I was not wanting to do either. So there was something. I think the time period, where she is, very unusual for the time, she is a trailblazer, and I think that that sort of determination and tenacity is really exciting for me.

On what genre, exactly, Jungle Cruise really is:

Emily Blunt: Well, I think there's a lot of films that have tried to emulate films like Romancing the Stone . Everyone's like, "Oh, yeah. We're making Romancing the Stone ," and it never is that, it's that film. And I think that this film has those qualities, but it's got qualities that are sort of supernatural, similar to Pirates of the Caribbean . It's a huge, action-packed adventure film, a lot of practically-shot, big Hollywood-

Dwayne Johnson: Kissing.

Emily Blunt: What? No. None. There's none.

Dwayne Johnson: Shit.

Emily Blunt: So there's also that at some point... perhaps, but I think at the core of it is this relationship, this unlikely duo, this unlikely couple initially sort of rub each other the wrong way and drive each other insane, but there's this chemistry between them, and this rapport between them that was so attractive to me when I read the script. It was so nostalgic, and I just don't think people are making these films which feel uncynical and fun and big. It's not a superhero film, respectfully. I can say that.

On keeping Jungle Cruise separate from Jumanji :

Dwayne Johnson: Oh, it's different in so many ways. I think that we got lucky with Jumanji , we made a good movie that a big amount of people like, and it did well, but I think that's always the fun challenge about making movies like this, whether they're jungle-themed, or jungle in the title, but also-

Emily Blunt: Dwayne's only making jungle movies from now on.

Dwayne Johnson: Jungle everything, yes. Jungle and the Furious .

Emily Blunt: Just wait for the Hobbs jungle movie.

Dwayne Johnson: Jungle-back Mountain is going to be... [back to Jungle Cruise ] It's very different, you know, with a movie like this. And also, I think, leaning into what Emily was talking about, about the adventure, about the fun, about the romance... And there are the movies that truly inspired this movie; Romancing the Stone , certainly Pirates of the Caribbean , because we have an opportunity here to make a movie that's based off an iconic Disney ride that has been beloved for generations and generations, and the responsibility of that, and also there's The African Queen , as well. That was our inspiration to make movies like this, and as Emily was saying, these movies aren't made that often. People try, and sometimes they talk about making movies like Romancing the Stone and things like that. "We're going to do a little bit of Pirates ," you know. Well, it is that kind of movie.

Dwayne Johnson on Jungle Cruise as his favorite Disney attraction:

Dwayne Johnson: I mean, I love Disney and going to Disney. The very first time I was able to go to Disney, I was 26 years old, and this was Disney down in Orlando. I was just so amazed, because I had always dreamed about going to Disney. We just never took family vacations when I was a kid. I finally went, I fell in love with the ride, and I fell in love with the park, and years later, we have this really amazing opportunity that I'm really grateful for.

In terms of the research, the research was deep, man, but that was the fun part about doing a movie like this, where you're able to go, and you're able to not only meet with the executives at first, that's at one level, but then you're able to go spend time with the Imagineers, a very special group, very creative, and go into the vaults of Disney. You guys may know, or may not know, but Jungle Cruise was a high priority for Walt when they opened the park in 1955, and he was the very first skipper. So, for us, that's pretty cool.

What makes a great Disney film?

Emily Blunt: I will say the process of working with Disney is so thrilling. We were talking about that the other day, because they're a studio that is just doing so well, and they're winning. They have just such a confidence in what they do. They allow for such collaborative, exciting projects that think outside the box, that carve out new space for themselves. They're not derivative of other films. They're not faithful films, and that's really exciting for us, because we're given, throughout the whole experience, the opportunity to create something completely individual.

I think I found that in Mary Poppins , that even though we pay homage to the original, it's very much the next chapter. It's courageous in that movie to be able to stand alone, without even seeing the first one, if you don't want to, which you're insane, because you should see it, but I think that the experience, for me, and I know for Dwayne as well, it's just really personal, and it feels really exciting. I think that Disney films are those kinds of films that are seeded into your nostalgia. Certainly as a child, I have just such lasting memories of Disney movies. Those were the films I grew up watching, and so it's completely surreal to be now in a few of them.

On movie-making technology and bringing a sense of adventure to the movie:

Dwayne Johnson: Well, I think the technology is always impressive, and I think when you're able to witness something like that, it's always impressive. I think it's one of the impressive elements or components of our business.

I think, first of all, when you step on a set like this... We had heard that the set was spectacular, for months, as they were building it. But then, when we finally stepped on set, we stepped on set together, and we were just blown away, very inspired, had goosebumps. It was really amazing.

Emily Blunt: Yeah, it was amazing.

Dwayne Johnson: It's an incredible set. So, I think, you combine this kind of set, this kind of story, as she obviously so eloquently talked about Disney, and what they bring to the table, and just in terms of movies and trust with audiences and families worldwide, regardless of culture, class... When you make a good Disney movie, there's heart-

Emily Blunt: Universal, yeah.

Dwayne Johnson: It's universal, there's fun, there's adventure, and there's also good lessons as well. And the crew, by the way, great. We've really assembled just this tremendous crew, but it's great. I think when you read the script, and the crew comes together, and when we have all the department heads, and everybody, producers, actors, and everybody, it's just, everybody comes on, and-

Emily Blunt: People want to be here. It's just really lovely.

On collaborating and creating their characters:

Emily Blunt: So, I think I enjoy collaborating. I enjoy stretching the scenes around. I enjoy not knowing. I think the best idea wins. I loved the prep week that we had, of just going through the script and just finding all of the nuances that make it personal to us and how we saw the scene, and that was really thrilling, actually.

Dwayne Johnson: Yeah, absolutely. Let's see. It started with, "How I can create something that's fun and something that's a little bit different from what I've played in the past?" And [then] remembering that I think the legacy of what the ride is, and the responsibility of it, and then also watching Romancing the Stone . We talked about Romancing the Stone months ago and how important of a reference that was. African Queen , had to watch that a bunch of times too as well.

And then, when you get in the vaults at the Imagineers, there in Burbank, which is a very nondescript building, it's really an amazing place. Really just phenomenal. And then, I think, when you get in that spirit, the creativity just kind of opens up.

Jungle Cruise opens in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on July 30th.

KEEP READING: Which 2021 Movie Will Open to Over $100 Million First?

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'Jungle Cruise': Emily Blunt on horrific nature run-in that had her 'dropping her pants' — and why The Rock calls her 'the female Indiana Jones'

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Emily Blunt does not play a mother in Jungle Cruise , Disney’s latest big-screen spin on a popular theme park attraction. She’s Dr. Lily Houghton, a scientist who, along with her brother MacGregor ( Jack Whitehall ), joins forces with Dwayne Johnson ’s pun-slinging steamboat captain for a trek through the Amazon in search of a petal with miraculous healing powers.

That’s unlike the Quiet Place   movies, in which Blunt now quite famously plays the post-apocalypse’s most protective mom against invading aliens.

Guess which one her kids get to see?

“They can see the Quiet Place films when they’re 35, at least,” cracked Blunt about her two young daughters with husband John Krasinski in a recent group chat with Yahoo Entertainment where she was joined by Johnson, Whitehall and Edgar Ramirez , who plays a deadly mercenary on their trail (watch above).

“They haven’t seen Jungle Cruise yet, but they saw the trailer, and they absolutely lost their minds for it. It is the one thing I’ve done that they are really interested in seeing.” (Our apologies to Mary Poppins Returns .)

Johnson’s children have a wide range in age — 19, 5 and 3 — but the prolific mega-star says he’s particularly excited about showing them Jungle Cruise .

“I think there’s a lot of elements of Jungle Cruise … it’s something for everyone. Adults, kids, smaller kids, big kids like me. … That’s one of the many magical components when you do a movie that’s based off of an iconic Disney ride that has been beloved for generations. There’s a little bit of that Disney magic that’s always infused in movies like this.”

In the film, the Houghtons and the Rock face constant threats through their expedition into the Great Outdoors, from various animals to waterfalls to undead conquistadors. But nothing Blunt faced in Jungle Cruise compared to her scariest run-in with nature in real life.

“I was in Tanzania and I was climbing Mount Meru and we’d been warned about fire ants,” the actress recalled. “They’re like these giant red ants, and when they bite you, it’s … fire. So I was walking and I looked down and I had clearly stepped in a nest, and I must’ve had a hundred just climbing up my boot around my ankle.

“I pulled my pants down in front of everyone, shook 'em out in front of all my friends at school, [they were full of ants]. That was the scariest. Everyone was screaming and trying to flick them off of me. They were climbing all up my leg and I did get some fiery little nips.”

Johnson had high praise for Blunt in a recent social media promo for the film, going as far as to call his co-star “the female Indiana Jones.” He elaborated on that point in our interview.

“I understand the set-up is a tough one, because that is a beloved character,” he says of the Harrison Ford screen idol. “But I believe it. [ Raiders of the Lost Ark ], Romancing the Stone , The African Queen , [ Pirates of the Caribbean ], those were some of our inspirations. … And what a privilege and a pleasure it was for us to be in a movie where the core point of view was from that of a woman, who is adventurous and groundbreaking for that time, wore pants proudly at a time when pants weren’t cool for women to wear.

“She has all these elements of a female Indiana Jones, and I mean that really respectfully and with great reverence to Harrison Ford and the character he created.”

Jungle Cruise is now playing in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access.

— Video produced by Anne Lilburn and edited by Jason Fitzpatrick

Watch the trailer:

Read more on Yahoo Entertainment:

Watch 'Jungle Cruise' stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt zing each other with explosive allegations

Disneyland unveils revamped, racism-free Jungle Cruise ride ahead of movie release

Humphrey Bogart's son addresses the clear parallels between The African Queen and Jungle Cruise

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Den of Geek

Jungle Cruise: How to Turn a Classic Ride Into a Fun Movie

Jungle Cruise stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt explain why they boarded the latest Disney theme-ride adventure.

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Remember when Disney announced the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie and the initial thinking was, “How the hell is Disney going to make a movie out of an amusement park ride?” Well, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl turned out to be more fun than anyone anticipated , and while its sequels have not always hit that same high mark, it’s clear — several billion dollars at the box office later — that the Mouse House was onto something.

Some 18 years after that first Pirates launched its first shot across the pop culture bow, Disney is back at it with Jungle Cruise , which stars Emily Blunt as Dr. Lily Houghton, a scientist determined to find a legendary source of healing powers deep in the jungle, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Captain Frank Wolff, a seemingly down on his luck but still decent-minded steamboat pilot who agrees to take Lily and her reluctant brother McGregor (Jack Whitehall) down the Amazon in search of the Tree of Life.

Along the way, the makeshift team will encounter revenants, monsters, tribespeople, and other obstacles, while pursued by a rival boat operator (Paul Giamatti) and a malevolent German prince (Jesse Plemons) who wants to find the Tree of Life for his own nefarious reasons. And naturally, Lily and Frank themselves find themselves in a love/hate relationship as they barrel down the river, with their own secrets and hidden motivations coming to light as well.

“I immediately just saw the potential of the opportunity,” says Johnson during an online press conference about the film. “And that opportunity was to take a beloved and iconic Disney ride — since 1955 when the park opened, this was Walt Disney’s baby. There were a lot of elements that I felt comfortable with saying, ‘Yes, I will come on board, I’ll partner with you guys, and we will develop this thing.’ And we got it to a really great place.”

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The Jungle Cruise attraction was indeed part of Disneyland in California when that first park opened 66 years ago, with versions of it also launched at Florida’s Walt Disney World in 1971, Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005. While the ride is being refurbished this year, it has remained a popular attraction with Disney visitors since its opening, with a film version in development since 2004.

It was nostalgia for the ride that first fueled Johnson’s interest in doing the film, with the Fast and Furious and Jumanji: The Next Level star officially coming on board in 2015. “I had ridden the ride when I was a kid,” he recalls. “Many moons later, I went to Disney World for the first time and rode the ride then too as well. So it had a nostalgic element to it when it was first presented to me. But also, the opportunity that we had that we could create something that was hopefully unique and special.”

Jungle Cruise Review: Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt Make It a Pleasure

Black Adam: Dwayne Johnson Hints at Dark Tone for New DC Movie

For Blunt, who says she only boarded the “whimsical and sweet” ride for the first time at the movie’s official world premiere at Disneyland, there was another aspect at work in doing the picture: the way it paid homage to a certain type of adventure movie that we haven’t seen a lot of lately — a genre that ranges from Disney’s own 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to the Brendan Fraser-era The Mummy .

“It was made in the spirit of the films that we all grew up watching,” she explains. “I mainlined those movies into my veins. I just loved Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone and The African Queen . They are just joy bombs, and they’re nostalgic, and I think we just needed to pierce people’s hearts directly with the spirit of those films that we all loved as children.”

Blunt adds that director Jaume Collet-Serra (the director of The Shallows and four Liam Neeson thrillers , who’s working next with Johnson on the DC superhero epic Black Adam ) brought a lot of “world building” skills to the project.

“When [Johnson] and I first met Jaume, we both asked him the same question,” says Blunt. “We said, ‘Well, what do you feel this movie’s about?’ I always ask a filmmaker that before I’m about to sign on. And he goes, ‘You know, it’s about love.’ And it was so perfect, ’cause you could’ve talked about all the action, the spectacle, and the myths and the legends and all that. But that’s when I knew in Jaume we had an innate romantic and a world builder, and that’s what you need for this type of movie.”

Capturing the free-spiritedness, appeal, and wonder of the original ride, then combining that with the classic adventure stylings, humor, and heart of films like Romancing the Stone or Raiders of the Lost Ark , Jungle Cruise became, for Johnson, much more than just a movie based on a theme park attraction.

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“I think the movie is so much more than what I expected,” he says. “The charm of the ride is the simplicity of it and the silliness of it. And the calmness of it too … you get on this ride and it’s almost like you can exhale and really just enjoy the simplicity of the ride. But our movie is anything but simple. With all the elements that we have, I think we delivered.”

Jungle Cruise is out in theaters and available on Disney+ via Premium Access now.

Don Kaye | @donkaye

Don Kaye is an entertainment journalist by trade and geek by natural design. Born in New York City, currently ensconced in Los Angeles, his earliest childhood memory is…

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Jungle Cruise stars Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson on their odd-couple movie

Plus, Jack Whitehall talks stunts and practical effects.

Some of the movie was filmed in Hawaii, Johnson tells Digital Spy during a set visit. "It's a very special time in our movie because the year is 1916 and it's way before any commercialism. You know, this is the kind of movie that dreams are made out of, because it's so big and so epic. This movie is one of those big adventure-filled, fun movies where we had the opportunity to be transported away – this time to the Amazon."

Of the Georgia set, Whitehall adds: "It's amazing. It's the most beautiful set. You walk on and you immediately feel like you're in that world. It's so immersive to be able to work on a set like that, because a lot of movies rely on green screens where you have to conjure up the surroundings in your head – but with this tree set, it's something that feels so real. We have an incredibly talented set designer."

"We shot water scenes in Hawaii and it was incredible," Johnson says. "The movie's a huge adventure, which involves this amazing, terrible-looking boat that barely runs."

The boat itself is a character, Johnson said. "This iconic boat means so much to a lot of generations – and it's very special to us, too. The boat's fantastic. It's very cool and it's very meaningful. The set designer is an Oscar winner, too."

"The boat is so sweet," Emily Blunt added. "It's charming and nostalgic. It feels like [Dwayne's character] Frank's heart and soul has gone into this boat. It's held together with duct tape and spit – but it's utterly charming. It really is."

"Oh, man. Those water scenes are spectacular," Johnson adds. "We built this very big tank. There are some big, big waves in the tank and that's where we get on the boat to shoot the action-filled boat scenes."

Emily adds: "They shoot, like, water cannons at us in the tank, so we're getting attacked from all sides as they're tipping the boat around – and there's not much acting that goes into it. I genuinely was screaming when I was shot by the water cannon! Jaume [Collet-Serra, the film's director] will just surprise us, which is awful."

"[He] has a tendency to surprise us with the water cannon," Johnson confirms.

When you're shooting scenes on the boat and you're going through rapids on a gimbal set-up, it really does feel like you're on a Disney ride – even though you're filming," Jack Whitehall says. "You're moving around and all of these hydraulics are working, so the sounds are what you'd only ever hear if you were on the log flumes, where you get smashed in the face with a load of water. When you're shooting scenes like this, it feels a bit like being on a Disney roller coaster for sure."

"They tell you to take travel motion-sickness pills, which I was very keen to do because I suffer really badly from travel sickness," Whitehall reveals. "I took a load of those, but when you're suddenly thrown into it, it makes it all a bit more real. To be honest, you can only prepare yourself so much for it."

Making sure these action scenes work was complex, according to Whitehall. "There's a sequence where we go down the rapids and I'm eventually thrown around every corner of the boat, so it was almost like I was doing a dance. You know, you're trying to work out each movement as you fall in and out of shot, even though you know only a second of it will end up in the film – if any of it at all. Nevertheless, it's great fun to choreograph it."

From what we've seen so far, it's safe to say that Jungle Cruise is a movie that works because of its lead stars' chemistry and the spectacular action scenes. But Blunt was aware that signing on could be a risk.

"When I got sent this script, they pitched it to me by saying, 'You know, it really is a two-hander with Dwayne Johnson.' Historically, I've been told that many movies are two-handers – but then it turns out you're the girl in Dwayne Johnson's movie. For that reason, I was a little cynical when I first started to read the script. But actually, I think you're the girl in this movie, Dwayne."

"I am the girl!" he agreed.

"That's suddenly what I realised when I started to read the script. In the opening of the film, Lily is this Indiana Jones -esque character. She's completely reckless and funny and imperfect. And I really did fall for her as a person because there was something about the reckless quality and the heedless quality of the character that I loved. I love how positive she is and how rare for her time she is. The movie is set in 1916 and she's not conforming to anything that women had to do in those times, so it was an instant yes for me in wanting to play somebody like that."

Johnson added: "When you see the movie, you'll start to discover how what she's saying will really inform even more of this answer. It was important to all of us to find the right woman for this role. In my mind, it was always Emily. It truly was always Emily."

In real life, Blunt says she isn't adventurous. But Johnson disagrees. "She's very adventurous in the way you have to be in order to take on a role like this. For example, when we created our set in Hawaii, it was truly one of the most spectacular sets ever built. Honestly, in the history of Hollywood. We were blown away.

"It was so massive and so epic and so beautiful – and you can't help but start to feel your own sense of adventure kicking in. Emily was game from Day One and she hasn't stopped since. Her character is a doctor and in the spirit of Indiana Jones, her character is inspired by discovery and adventure and wisdom and badassery. And my character is fortunate enough to go on the ride with her. He's fortunate enough to get hired by her, because she's my boss."

Likewise, Whitehall's McGregor is propelled through the story by Lily. "In the story, he's unwittingly taken to the Amazon. He's dragged along on this adventure by Lily and Frank [played by Johnson]. He's one of those characters where everything bad happens to him, so you end up feeling sorry for him.

"He really gets put through the wringer in the story, but it's been a lot of fun to play a part like this. It's been incredible to play around within this world they've created. The film itself is amazing. It's great to be part of something this big. It feels epic in scale – and the sets are incredible. It's been so much fun to be on set and to play within the scenes."

The playing on set is down to director Jaume Collet-Serra. "We could talk about Jaume all day, till the sky goes dark," Blunt says. "We are both madly in love with him. He's extraordinary and quite a rare combination of someone who's into creating really stunning visuals with what he can do with a camera. His ideas are so elevated visually and yet he gives us the most thoughtful, beautiful notes and he understands the emotionality of every scene.

"It's rare that you get someone who visually and emotionally can line up like he can. You may not think of Jaume in terms of comedy, based on his previous movies, but he's actually very funny. He really understands comedy and he understands the spontaneity of it, which allows us to stretch the scenes out and improvise. He's very giving and generous. Truly, if I could do every movie with Jaume I would be very happy."

"We both would," Johnson adds. "Jaume is very funny, in an understated way. He doesn't necessarily come from the world of comedy because he did make his bones in thrillers, but he knows what he's doing. He knows how to create and stretch these scenes and he creates instances around every corner that are always compelling.

"There were a lot of directors who had their hands up for this opportunity, but what was probably the deciding factor with Jaume involved his pitch. While he was pitching us the story, I asked, 'Well, what's our story about? What's our anchoring asset to deal with the story?' He said, 'Well, the story is about love.' And in that sentence, he informed the kind of movie we were going to make. How everything is driven out of love – and here we are."

Jungle Cruise will be released in UK and US cinemas on July 30. It will also get a home release on Disney+ Premier Access on the same day.

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How Dwayne Johnson Wooed Emily Blunt for ‘Jungle Cruise’ — and Why She Ghosted Him

As they prepare to release their $200 million-plus Disney tentpole, the newly minted BFFs now lean on each other for career guidance: "I go to him for advice because he lived in the trenches."

By Rebecca Keegan

Rebecca Keegan

Senior Editor, Film

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At about 4 a.m. in the fall of 2017, after a tiring night shoot on Universal’s Skyscraper , Dwayne Johnson , arguably the busiest person in Hollywood, set aside some time to film a video for Emily Blunt . At the time, he was attached to star in Jungle Cruise , which various producers had been trying to get off the ground at Disney since at least 2004, after the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie revealed the moneymaking potential of a theme park ride reimagined as a film franchise.

Johnson, who had been taken with Blunt since The Devil Wears Prada , felt she’d be his ideal sparring partner in the film, which was envisioned as a two-hander. “I had always admired her as an actor, but also when I would watch her on talk shows, she had this personality that was effervescent, that was cool and very, very charming.” So far Blunt was proving impervious to what producer Beau Flynn calls the filmmakers’ “unilateral targeted attack.” Looking to take a break after shooting Mary Poppins Returns and A Quiet Place back-to-back, she had declined to read a script and remained unmoved even after receiving a heartfelt letter from Sean Bailey, the chief of Disney’s live-action studio.

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So when Jungle Cruise ‘s taciturn Spanish director, Jaume Collet-Serra, was planning to fly to New York to hand deliver a script directly to Blunt at her home in Brooklyn, Johnson wanted to send him along with the video as a kind of charm assist. “I must have shot it about five or six times because I had not communicated with Emily yet,” Johnson says. “I had not even met her. And I wanted to let her know via this video just how important she was to this movie and how I only wanted her in this movie. And it was great. And I … I actually never heard again from Emily. Didn’t respond at all. Just ghosted me.”

Says Blunt, with a smile: “I thought the video was sweet. Didn’t know you were going to be so sensitive.” Chalk up the misunderstanding to cultural differences — her British reserve versus his wrestling-ring-decibel enthusiasm. Eventually, spurred by Collet-Serra’s pitch that the film would be reminiscent of the Indiana Jones films and Romancing the Stone (and Johnson’s “sweet” video), Blunt did read the script and was won over, with the additional help of a generous payday.

Now the duo are on a soundstage in Atlanta in mid-July, where Johnson is in the final weeks of filming the Warner Bros. superhero movie Black Adam and Blunt has flown in from shooting a BBC/Amazon Western series in Spain to join him for Jungle Cruise press. The pair are seated in front of a lavish boat and jungle set, as crew around them arrange some prop shrubbery. With all the Disney promotional jazz hands deployed, this scene almost feels like the pre-pandemic movie business, save for the masks on the crew.

Brought together onscreen for their odd-couple appeal, offscreen the duo share a business savvy. As the film industry undergoes the most dramatic period of change in its more than 100-year history, battered by COVID and the rapid adoption of streaming, these two actors are navigating the moment with a shrewdness and an unusually hands-on approach to contracts, distribution and marketing. Where they differ is on their willingness to openly engage on such matters.

Periodically throughout the interview, Blunt seems to be trying to keep Johnson’s candor in check. When he starts to answer a question about their contracts, she’ll interject, “You’ll be quoted.” Some of this is a shtick they’ve adopted for the film’s promotion, but some is genuinely rooted in their DNA. As stars, Blunt, 38, and Johnson, 49, barely seem to hail from the same galaxy. “He said to me once, ‘I love that your debut was onstage with Dame Judi Dench and mine was in the wrestling ring cutting myself with razors,’ ” Blunt says.

This summer they’re bringing audiences a $200 million-plus, four-quadrant popcorn movie that would have seemed like an obvious profit engine for its studio in any other era. Instead, their movie, which will open in theaters and on Disney+ (for a $30 fee) on July 30, is the latest test of the moviegoing audience’s appetites a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic. Jungle Cruise is a family-oriented film coming out at a time when most children in the U.S. and around the world are not yet vaccinated and COVID cases once again are spiking globally because of new variants. Despite the health news, there have been some encouraging signs at the box office, most recently with Disney’s July 9 hybrid release of Black Widow , which debuted to a pandemic-era best of $158.8 million at the worldwide box office, plus another $60 million on Disney+. ( Black Widow dropped a steep 67 percent at the box office in its second weekend, prompting the National Association of Theatre Owners to blame the studio’s simultaneous release strategy for a “stunning collapse.”)

“We all created our own space at home where we watched and consumed our movies,” Johnson says of how the pandemic changed the business. “We wondered, once we got back to the theatrical experience, are the majority of people now going, ‘You know what, I’m good. We’re going to watch it at home’? What we’re seeing now [at theaters] starting with A Quiet Place and Cruella , and then Fast & Furious and certainly with Black Widow … it’s invigorating.”

Johnson wants the theatrical business to bounce back for the sake of his studio partners, but his own viewing habits resemble the most couch-bound of consumers, since he has not been able to go to a movie without being instantly recognized and mobbed by fans since the 1990s. Blunt, meanwhile, goes to the theater incognito all the time. “I’m small, I blend in,” she says. “Put on a hat. It’s fun.” Where she’s a diehard for the theatrical experience, “I’m like, ‘Listen, Emily,’ ” Johnson says, lifting his iPhone. ” ‘Watch this movie. Turn it sideways. Look, we’ll watch this for two and a half hours.’ ”

The two brought those disparate perspectives into their meetings with Disney about how to release Jungle Cruise , with the studio ultimately deciding on the hybrid release strategy due to the slow pace of vaccine rollouts globally.

Johnson says that after finishing Jungle Cruise , he and Blunt continued to consult with each other about how to handle production during the pandemic and how to manage their deals — which often have been linked to box office — amid the changing release strategies. “We’re all trying to figure it out,” Johnson says. “Emily and I have had this conversation about how one thing will impact another, these dollars are dollars now and then down the line. It’s an important conversation for us to have.” Blunt says she has relied on him for counsel as she navigates the next stage of her career. “I really appreciate that DJ comes from struggle,” Blunt says. “He comes from some hard times, and he wears it very lightly and in a very wise philosophical sense. And so I do go to him for advice because he has lived in the trenches. He has not just winged it, and it has not been this meteoric rise to where he is now. It’s been a lot of razor blades and tears.”

Jungle Cruise , which is based on a 65-year-old riverboat cruise theme park ride, is no slam dunk. While 2003’s Pirates became a five-film box office juggernaut, that same year’s The Haunted Mansion was panned, and Disney’s most recent ride-inspired movie, Tomorrowland , flopped — even in the much more hospitable 2015 moviegoing environment — grossing just $209 million globally. Box office tracking has been less predictive during the pandemic, but some sources close to the film already are worried about Jungle Cruise , hopeful the Disney+ premium offering buttresses their numbers, like it did for Disney’s Cruella . As the studio did with Black Widow , in a rare display of transparency for the streaming era, it is expected to release the Disney+ numbers for Jungle Cruise publicly.

Over the years, Disney had dabbled with multiple versions of Jungle Cruise , including one starring Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. In 2015, producers John Davis and John Fox came up with an idea inspired by the origins of the ride, which itself was inspired by the 1951 Humphrey Bogart–Katharine Hepburn adventure film The African Queen . With Disney’s blessing, they brought the pitch for a contentious, evenly matched male-female duo making their way on a riverboat adventure to Johnson’s production company, Seven Bucks, and he signed on within two days. It would be more than two years before they signed the actress to play Hepburn to Johnson’s Bogey and several drafts before they landed on the shooting script, which has five credited writers (screenplay by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa and Michael Green, with additional story credits for Josh Goldstein and John Norville).

In the film, which is set in the early 20th century, Blunt plays Dr. Lily Houghton, a pants-wearing scientist who hires Johnson’s steamboat captain, Frank Wolff, to steer her down a jungle river in pursuit of the Tree of Life. When Blunt came aboard, she had copious script notes, much of them scraping away what she deemed unnecessary backstory for Lily. “She brought a great point out to us, which is, ‘How come a lot of male figures just get to be adventurers, or explorers?’ There’s no backstory in Indiana Jones. He’s just a badass archeologist,” says Flynn. In the film, Blunt often has the swashbuckling moments, while Johnson often supplies the comic relief. On the ride, a Disney castmember called a “skipper” delivers a dad-joke-laden narration for guests, a task Johnson delivers with aplomb in the film. “You needed an actor like DJ with the willingness to poke fun at himself and to be the butt of all the jokes,” Blunt says.

Along with the business, cultural attitudes have changed since the Pirates franchise launched, further complicating what once looked like a safe bet. As Jungle Cruise was being made, Disney’s Imagineers were updating the ride, including making changes to Indigenous characters that had been depicted as primitive and threatening. The movie subverts that imagery, in a plot twist that reveals the Indigenous characters are the ones getting the last laugh. “You’re trying to represent the spirit of the ride that is pierced into people’s nostalgic memory,” Blunt says. “But you want to do it sensitively. You want to make sure that everyone feels seen and heard in a way that’s really respectful.” There’s also a gay character and a fair amount of time given to Lily’s radical-for-her-era life choices — one of Frank’s nicknames for her is “pants.”

For a movie with ambitious action set pieces and CG characters, the Jungle Cruise set relied on an unusual amount of improv by its stars and supporting cast of Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons and Paul Giamatti. “In a normal [studio] movie, you would be like, ‘Oh, I don’t have time. Just give me what is the thing that’s going to work,’ ” says Collet-Serra, who has developed a reputation in Hollywood for delivering genre movies that are better than they ought to be, like the 2016 Blake Lively shark movie The Shallows , and multiple Liam Neeson thrillers. “But here, we tried to keep some of the scenes a little bit more visually loose to let them improv. There’s tons of footage. I could cut two other movies with different jokes completely because they gave me so much.”

When Disney tested the film, which was shot and almost completely finished before the pandemic, they found that what audiences wanted most, more than spectacle, was the scenes of repartee between the two leads. “Very early on, we learned that their chemistry was magic and that people really cared a lot more about them fighting, or this banter that they have, than what they were bantering about,” Collet-Serra says. “We had more plot. But at some point, people were like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s all nice, but give me more of them together.’ ” Johnson was present for multiple test screenings, according to Bailey. “Inevitably the first call I got the next morning was from Dwayne about what he thought about the preview, and what his takeaways were, and what the studio’s takeaways were.”

In early March 2020, Jungle Cruise seemed to be on track for a summer release. By then, Johnson was shooting Red Notice for Netflix in Atlanta and about to leave for some days of production in Italy, and Blunt was attending the premiere for A Quiet Place Part II in New York, which was supposed to open March 18. Plans for all three films would grind to a halt as the pandemic set in. By summer of that year, Johnson, his wife, Lauren, and their two daughters, now 5 and 3, tested positive for coronavirus . “It was very scary,” says Johnson, whose symptoms were mild. “I couldn’t control it because then the nanny took it home to her family. And then the housekeeper took it home to her family, and they were a little older there. And you don’t want to be the fire-starter that then causes all this bedlam and fear. But luckily we all got through it, thank God.” There were silver linings for a person whose work ethic was forged on the 300-night-a-year pro wrestling circuit. “I’m always going and going and going,” Johnson says. “It really forced me to stop and slow down.” The Hollywood pause also gave Johnson time to focus on something he’d long wanted to do: launch a tequila brand. In 2020, his Teremana became the fastest-growing brand in the history of spirits, selling roughly 400,000 cases in its first year of business.

Blunt, meanwhile, spent much of the early months of the pandemic in a house outside New York City with her husband, John Krasinski, and their daughters, 5 and 7. While Krasinski launched his Some Good News web series, Blunt focused on home-schooling and keeping household spirits up as Paramount pushed the release date for A Quiet Place Part II five times. Blunt and Krasinski were adamant about preserving a theatrical release, even as Paramount sold off other big movies to streamers during the pandemic, including Coming 2 America and The Trial of the Chicago 7 . Ultimately, Paramount released A Quiet Place Part II on May 28 in theaters, where it has grossed $285.6 million worldwide, before releasing it July 12 on Paramount+. Though the film had its theatrical release, its window was truncated from the pre-pandemic norm of 90 days, with far fewer than the remarkable 266 days the original film had spent in theaters, and Blunt and Krasinski sought to have their deals with Paramount restructured to accommodate for that difference. Asked how those talks had resolved, Blunt says: “We had a solely theatrical release. We were given a 45-day theatrical window. We got everything we wanted.”

One pandemic event movie from which Johnson is conspicuously absent is Universal’s F9: The Fast Saga , which has grossed $591.3 million since it opened in China in May. Johnson starred in the previous three films in the series, as well as the 2019 spinoff, Hobbs & Shaw , but is not scheduled to appear in any future Fast films. In a June Men’s Health interview promoting the latest movie, Vin Diesel implied that a much-publicized feud between him and Johnson actually was a technique he deployed to elicit a better acting performance from the former pro wrestler. “I could give a lot of tough love,” Diesel said. “Not Felliniesque, but I would do anything I’d have to do in order to get performances in anything I’m producing.”

When asked about Diesel’s comments, Johnson says, “I laughed and I laughed hard. I think everyone had a laugh at that. And I’ll leave it at that. And that I’ve wished them well. I wish them well on Fast 9 . And I wish them the best of luck on Fast 10 and Fast 11 and the rest of the Fast & Furious movies they do that will be without me.” Blunt can’t resist extending the moment. “Just thank God he was there,” she says of Diesel. “Thank God. He carried you through that.” “Felliniesque,” Johnson says.

Johnson’s hardest role yet, he says, is the one he’s shooting now, in Black Adam , in which he plays the DC Comics antihero. “Black Adam has all the powers of Superman, but the difference is he is blessed with magic,” Johnson says. “And also, by a code of ethics in the world of superheroes, they don’t kill the bad guys, but Black Adam does. There were a lot of elements like that that made me feel this is a real opportunity here. I felt like everything that I had done in the past in terms of my career, all the movies that I had done over the decades, even the ones that didn’t do well, all led to this particular role.”

It was while Johnson was doing a press junket for the 2008 movie Get Smart that the seed of the idea to play Black Adam was planted. At the time, there were rumors about Johnson playing Shazam in a movie that never materialized (he would later executive produce the 2019 Warners movie Shazam! , starring Zachary Levi). After a journalist at the Get Smart junket suggested to Johnson that he play Black Adam instead, the idea interested him. “I was in a different point in my career,” Johnson says. “I couldn’t get things greenlit really. So I said, ‘It’s up to the fans.’ ” Fans loved the idea of Johnson in the role, which he ultimately started shooting with Collet-Serra again in the director’s chair, in Atlanta in April. “This is our shot at the superhero space,” says Hiram Garcia, president of production at Seven Bucks, Johnson’s former brother-in-law and a friend who has known the star for more than 25 years. “I’ve seen DJ in all versions of great shape, but the shape he got in for this movie. … He just takes it so seriously, the character, the physical approach and what he’s put into his training, his diet. To see him change his body in that way — he takes great pride in not needing a muscle suit.”

Just as Black Adam was beginning production in Atlanta, after having been delayed eight months by the pandemic, the Georgia legislature passed a sweeping new voting law that the Justice Department is challenging on the grounds that it denies Black Georgians their voting rights. Hollywood’s deep investment in production in the state came up for debate, and some producers decided to exit Georgia, including Will Smith and Anton Fuqua with their Apple movie, Emancipation . Others, like Ryan Coogler with Black Panther 2 , remained. “Right as we were kicking off our production, that was going down,” Johnson says. “You start to feel pressure from a lot of different sides that you should stand up for something and you should leave if you don’t agree with the voting laws. I was adamant and clear that Black Adam was not going anywhere. We had committed to the state of Georgia and to the people here in Georgia. And this is a place that we had filmed multiple movies over the years. And when you commit to our hardworking locals and their families, the last thing you want to do is just pick up and move. So we weren’t going anywhere. We [the film’s producers] had the conversation. It was heated for about a week.”

Johnson, who in the past has said he would consider running for president, is comfortable weighing in on political issues, in contrast to Blunt. “I’m not quite American enough to say certain things,” Blunt says. “I appreciate how you navigate it because you’re very authentic and you stand by it. And you don’t just follow the crowd. You do step out and say certain things that might get you in hot water.”

Johnson, with 254 million followers, is the most followed American man on Instagram, where he shares workout routines and family moments and breaks news on his projects that once would have been revealed through studio press releases. “Coming from wrestling in front of 50 people at a used-car dealership or a flea market, the intention was always to have a relationship and a connection with [the fans],” Johnson says. “With social media, it was an opportunity for me to continue to connect with an audience where I didn’t have to rely on going on a talk show or this interview. It’s been the most invaluable decision of my career.” Blunt, meanwhile, has no social media profile. “I’ve always loved the mystique of an actor,” she says. “I don’t need to know what they brush their teeth with. I don’t want to know. I love people being hard to figure out.”

While Johnson sees Black Adam as the culmination of his career, Blunt is uninterested in comic book films. “I really understand that [superhero movies] are like a religion for a lot of people,” she says. “They don’t appeal to me in the same way. I don’t have this burning desire to play a superhero.” While Johnson has been shooting Black Adam , Blunt has been shooting a Western for the BBC called The English , which Amazon will release in the U.S. She plays an aristocratic woman who’s seeking revenge for her son’s death and befriends a Pawnee warrior. “It’s about love and revenge and race and history,” she says.

Despite their inauspicious start with a ghosting, Johnson has officially recruited Blunt into his orbit of regular collaborators, which also includes Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Hart. There is discussion of a Jungle Cruise sequel, and he has drafted Blunt to star in an as-yet-unannounced film project that he’s producing. “Not only is she a huge movie star but, more importantly, really the most empathetic human being I’ve ever met,” Johnson says as he is being pulled from the interview to get back to Black Adam . “God,” Blunt says, in mock mortification at his sincerity. “Get out of here.”

Blunt, who has been ribbing Johnson for much of the interview, turns serious to take stock of what she considers Johnson’s most extraordinary creation. “When you get to know him as being much gentler, much more shy than people realize, you really realize that The Rock is the performance of a lifetime,” she says. “It is so the antithesis of who he is. And so I’m going to push him to play, to take big swings with characters. Because it’s really transformative if you know him as I do and then you see him be The Rock — you’re like, ‘Who is that?’ “

This story first appeared in the July 21 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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Emily Blunt, Dwayne Johnson reveal most awkward 'Jungle Cruise' kiss, dirty jokes cut by Disney

ANAHEIM, Calif. – WWE phenom, movie smackdown champ and "Jungle Cruise"  star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson did not grasp what he was getting into by relentlessly pursuing very British "Mary Poppins Returns" star Emily Blunt to co-lead the Disney action adventure.

When the two disparate movie forces finally met at a Beverly Hills dinner in 2018, the magical sparring began immediately.

"You were more gentlemanly at first," says Blunt, eyeing a concurring Johnson just yards away from the Disneyland Jungle Cruise ride that serves as the movie's inspiration. "But the moment he sat down, I went straight for the jugular."  

The playfully (we're pretty sure) savage barbs and cutting chemistry sizzled when the 6-foot-5 Johnson filmed as Amazon riverboat captain Frank Wolff with the 5-foot-7 Blunt as scientist passenger Lily Houghton in "Jungle Cruise" (in theaters and on Disney+ via Premier Access).

'Jungle Cruise':  A gay character sparks debate and a reformed Trader Sam emerges

The zingers still fly today. Even before cameras roll for a USA TODAY interview, the two broadly bicker over Blunt's blanket that is shedding on Johnson's perfect pants.

"Not sure why you're doing this now," Blunt quips to Johnson . "I'm keeping the blanket. Talk about Captain Anal."

"Really, that's how it's going to be?" Johnson retorts. "OK, be ready my friend. Here it comes."

We unleashed the duo for a final wicked voyage revisiting what it took to board their "Jungle Cruise."

'Jungle Cruise' review:  Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt are well-matched heroes on a cheesy-fun 'Jungle Cruise'

Question: Mr. Rock, as a producer on 'Jungle Cruise,' you made a personal video and sent letters from Disney execs to convince Blunt. Have you ever pursued a co-star like this?

Emily Blunt: It got stalker-ish.

Dwayne Johnson: It was only  borderline stalker-ish. I'm going to get arrested. Chris Hansen is waiting outside. 

Blunt (laughing) : The "Catch a Predator" host? Seriously? But really it was the script. That's all I needed.

Johnson : (Director) Jaume Collet-Serra flew to Brooklyn to hand-deliver the script. And I said to him, show her this video I made. I can be very charming when I want to be. So I said –

Blunt interrupts : Your video didn't do anything. It made me want to run.

Jungle Cruise revamped: Disneyland unveils ride that removes racially insensitive depictions, adds new story

Q: Ms. Blunt, did you really ghost The Rock after that personal entreaty?

Blunt: Everyone says it's ghosting (to Johnson). I'll say now, I was very touched by your lovely video. It was clearly an impassioned plea.

Johnson:  It wasn't really an impassioned plea. It was, 'I admire your work. You and I together onscreen will be phenomenal.'

Blunt: It was begging.

Johnson: I have to say this: She didn't respond, which is fine. She needed to read the script. But what you do, if you're just a human being with a shred of emotion or decency, is respond.

Q: The movie incorporates tour guide pun-filled humor made infamous on the original Jungle Cruise ride. Ms. Blunt, how did you hold back real laughter?

Blunt: It was very easy. I'm not a fan of puns.

Q; There's clearly a lot of improv in the movie. What off-the-rails scene didn't make it?

Blunt: Oh god. It made it in the movie, but the scene where I pull the sword out of him. We shot innuendo after innuendo. There's a whole movie there. We were seeing how far we could push Disney with innuendos. There's now just enough for the adults to laugh and the kids to ask why they're laughing.

Johnson: To Disney's credit, they let us push it just enough.

Blunt: They did truncate it.

Q: What was ultimately cut?

Johnson : Nearly all of it. Think of my dirty sense of humor and (multiply) that by 1,000. Then you get her sense of humor. So you can imagine what that scene looked like.

Q: There's an epic kiss that turns into a group hug with co-star Jack Whitehall (playing Lily's brother MacGregor) – and no doubt an actor playing a computer-generated screen leopard. How awkward was that?

Blunt:  It was two takes .  Jack was horrified. He said it was like watching his parents kiss at that point. It was at the end of the shoot, which made it all the more awkward. And yes, there was a leopard. He was played by a man named Ben, who had very beautiful eyes.

Johnson: It all just reminded me of those crazy times when you get really high at three in the morning. Those are the thoughts you have.

Q: And the scene where Frank gives Lily, trapped underwater, mouth-to-mouth oxygen. How was that to shoot?

Blunt: It's such a beautiful scene. But on the day, we couldn't even see each other. It was very murky in the water. So I could have been kissing anyone. It might have been one of your stunt doubles.

Johnson: It was probably my foot. So that would be my foot in your mouth.

Q: Might you two overcome your differences and get the band back together for "Jungle Cruise 2"?

Blunt : We've had really great conversations; Jaume has some really exciting ideas. We all have such an investment in this; Disney does as well. Hopefully, people want to see the journey continue.

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Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and the ‘Jungle Cruise’ Stars Get Very Un-Disney In Hilarious Interview

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Dwayne Johnson Talks Reteaming with 'One of the Greatest Actresses' for a Possible Jungle Cruise 2

Dwayne Johnson praises Emily Blunt as "one of the greatest actresses ever" and discusses their films The Smashing Machine and (maybe) Jungle Cruise 2.

• Dwayne Johnson is down to make a Jungle Cruise sequel in the future.
• Johnson and his Jungle Cruise co-star, Emily Blunt, will work together again in the MMA biopic titled The Smashing Machine.
• Johnson and Blunt discuss The Rock's attempt to woo the actress to take their Jungle Cruise, which fared fairly well at the box office in 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Emily Blunt are joining forces again, but not for Jungle Cruise 2 ... at least, not yet. While attending the 96th Academy Awards, Johnson revealed that he will be working with his Jungle Cruise co-star on an MMA-related biopic, The Smashing Game , next. However, Johnson would like to see Frank Wolff, aka Francisco Lopez de Heredia, set sail again with Dr. Lily Houghton. Johnson responded to a question about making a follow-up to the 2021 Disney film in an interview with Variety :

Possibly. Down the line, yeah, I’d wanna do it. Maybe, we’ll see.

When Johnson was asked about teaming up again with his Jungle Cruise co-star for The Smashing Machine , the actor said in the same interview:

“I can’t wait. We’re shooting The Smashing Machine. Benny Safdie is writing and directing it. It’s a biopic about one of the godfathers of MMA who struggled with addiction. He struggled with love, he struggled with success, struggled with loss. And Emily, one of my best friends, and one of the greatest actresses ever, is obviously nominated tonight. I’m very happy for her and all her ‘Oppenhomies.' And, it’s with A24 and we’ll shoot that next. I can’t wait."

Johnson added:

“It’s much different than what we did with ‘Jungle Cruise,’ but I got to tell you there is no greater partner in our industry than Emily who I would want to have to rip this thing open. So, you know, she was filming with Benny Safdie on Oppenheimer a few years ago, and they were talking about The Smashing Machine, we were talking about it back then. So, this is a long time coming, man.”

Dwayne Johnson Had to Convince Emily Blunt to Take Their Jungle Cruise

Jungle cruise.

*Availability in US

Producer Hiram Garcia said Jungle Cruise 2 would be a worldwide adventure , but nearly three years after the original film hit theaters, the sequel’s ship has yet to set sail. And while promoting the Disney flick back in 2021, Dwayne Johnson revealed that his creative and charming ways of trying to woo Emily Blunt — The Rock shot a video for the actress to watch — to join the big-screen adventure were “ghosted.” Johnson said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter :

“I had always admired her as an actor, but also when I would watch her on talk shows, she had this personality that was effervescent, that was cool and very, very charming […] I must have shot it about five or six times because I had not communicated with Emily yet. I had not even met her. And I wanted to let her know via this video just how important she was to this movie and how I only wanted her in this movie. And it was great. And I… I actually never heard again from Emily. Didn’t respond at all. Just ghosted me.”

8 Things You Didn't Know About the Cast of Jungle Cruise

While the acting duo was doing press together, Johnson and Blunt's chemistry and sense of humor clearly shined through. And Blunt hilariously addressed the video Johnson made to try and convince the actress to join him on their eventual Jungle Cruise . Blunt said in an interview that she did with Johnson for Lorraine :

“Listen, I didn’t want you to know that I was in at that point, okay? I was playing that game: a little cat and mouse. But no, it was the most touching video. It was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It was an overture. I felt very flattered and then a little bit scared for my life, because it was stalkerish [Johnson laughs].”

Johnson and Blunt's team-up led to Jungle Cruise making $221 million worldwide in a box office climate still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. And even though a Jungle Cruise sequel was announced back in 2021 , at the time of this writing, there’s not an official release date attached to the project.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Jungle Cruise

Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element. Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element. Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles but with a supernatural element.

• Jaume Collet-Serra
• Michael Green
• Glenn Ficarra
• Dwayne Johnson
• Emily Blunt
• Edgar Ramírez
• 1.2K User reviews
• 297 Critic reviews
• 50 Metascore
• 5 wins & 9 nominations

• Frank Wolff

• Lily Houghton

• MacGregor Houghton

• Prince Joachim

• (as Quim Gutierrez)

• Sir James Hobbs-Coddington

• Chief's Daughter

• Society Guard

• Society Member

• Society Worker
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt Answer Burning Questions

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Did you know

• Trivia Many of the puns Frank uses are taken directly from the Disney Parks attraction on which the movie is based. These "so bad they're good" jokes are one of the reasons why Jungle Cruise skippers are so important to the ride experience.
• Goofs Prince Joachim knows where the trapped Spanish are located. There was no record of this because only Skipper knew where he trapped them.

Frank Wolff : If you're lucky enough to have one person in this life to care about, then that's world enough for me.

• Crazy credits The bay in the Disney logo is seen to have the water glowing purple, and after the Disney logo fully appears the camera dives into the water and leads to the Tree of Life, which opens the film.
• Connections Featured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: D23 Expo 2019 Extravaganza (2019)
• Soundtracks Nothing Else Matters Reimagined by Metallica and James Newton Howard With featured performances by James Hetfield , Lars Ulrich , Kirk Hammett , Robert Trujillo Written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich Associate Producer and Engineer Greg Fidelman

User reviews 1.2K

• deloudelouvain
• Oct 26, 2021
• How long is Jungle Cruise? Powered by Alexa
• Will 'Weird Al' Yankovic's song 'Skipper Dan' about Disney's Jungle Cruise ride be featured in this movie?
• July 30, 2021 (United States)
• United States
• Official Facebook
• Thám Hiểm Rừng Xanh
• Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA
• Davis Entertainment
• Flynn Picture Company
• Seven Bucks Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $200,000,000 (estimated)
• $116,987,516
• $35,018,731
• Aug 1, 2021
• $220,889,446

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 7 minutes
• Dolby Atmos
• IMAX 6-Track

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‘Jungle Cruise’ Interviews With Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt And More!

The stars of Disney's Jungle Cruise Dwayne Johnson , Emily Blunt , Jack Whitehall, and Edgar Ramírez had an absolute blast making the latest Disney adventure, and it shows. Follow along with CinemaBlend’s Dirk Libbey as he and the cast discuss the ride-turned-film, potential sequels and the infamous Jungle Cruise puns (or attempted puns, in Dwayne Johnson’s case).

Video Chapters

00:00 - Intro

00:30 - Dwayne Johnson Explains The Jungle Cruise That Almost Starred Tom Hanks

01:26 - Emily Blunt And Dwayne Johnson On Who Would Play Woody In A Live-Action Toy Story Remake

01:58 - The Jungle Cruise Scene That Made Jack Whitehall ‘More Nervous’ Than Anything Else

03:12 - Edgar Ramírez Explains Why Jungle Cruise Doesn’t Use Subtitles

04:36 - Jack Whitehall And Edgar Ramírez Are Ready To Join The Jungle Cruise Ride In Disneyland

CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER

Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News

06:11 - What Dwayne Johnson And Emily Blunt Love (And Hate) About The Puns In Jungle Cruise

08:12 - Is The Cast Ready To Do As Many Sequels As Pirates Of The Caribbean ?

10:17 - Will We See Jack Whitehall’s Newt In Season 2 Of Good Omens ?

10:35 - Why Edgar Ramírez Can’t Wait For Borderlands Fans To See The Movie

11:58 - Outro

Jungle Cruise hits theaters and Disney+ Premier Access on July 30.

CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis.  Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.

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Dwayne Johnson Hints at Jungle Cruise 2 with Emily Blunt

I n a recent exclusive interview with Variety at the 2024 Oscars, Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock,” shed light on the potential for reuniting with Emily Blunt for the much-anticipated sequel to their 2021 adventure film, Jungle Cruise. The duo had previously teamed up in director Jaume Collet-Serra’s fantasy adventure, where Johnson portrayed a charismatic riverboat captain leading a perilous journey along the Amazon River alongside Blunt’s intrepid scientist character and her brother.

While discussing his upcoming collaboration with Blunt in Benny Safdie’s MMA drama, The Smashing Machine, Johnson couldn’t help but praise his co-star, emphasizing the strong bond they share. He expressed his admiration for Blunt, stating, “It’s much different than what we did with ‘Jungle Cruise,’ but I got to tell you there is no greater partner in our industry than Emily who I would want to have to rip this thing open.” This sentiment underscores the chemistry and camaraderie between the two actors, setting a promising tone for potential future projects.

Regarding the possibility of Jungle Cruise 2, Johnson provided a tantalizing hint, suggesting that while nothing is set in stone, he remains open to the idea. When asked about the sequel, Johnson’s response was enigmatic yet hopeful, stating, “Possibly. Down the line, yeah, I’d wanna do it. Maybe, we’ll see.” This cautiously optimistic stance hints at the actor’s willingness to revisit the beloved franchise when the timing is right.

The prospect of Jungle Cruise 2 has generated considerable excitement among fans, especially given the success of its predecessor. Despite its release during a challenging period for the entertainment industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungle Cruise emerged as a modest box office success and garnered praise for its entertaining blend of action, humor, and adventure. The film’s popularity was further amplified by its availability on the Disney+ streaming platform, where it found a receptive audience.

With Johnson and Blunt’s star power, coupled with the enduring appeal of adventure narratives, Jungle Cruise 2 holds immense potential to captivate audiences once again. As the Indiana Jones franchise approaches its conclusion, there’s a noticeable gap in the market for action-packed, globe-trotting escapades, making the timing ripe for a sequel to Jungle Cruise. Disney, keen on delivering family-friendly entertainment and building upon established successes, may view Jungle Cruise 2 as a strategic endeavor to further expand the franchise.

While logistical challenges such as scheduling conflicts and production timelines may impact the sequel’s development, the undeniable chemistry between Johnson and Blunt, coupled with their shared enthusiasm for the project, bodes well for its eventual realization. Producer Beau Flynn and director Jaume Collet-Serra’s potential return further reinforces the continuity and creative vision that could drive Jungle Cruise 2 forward.

While Jungle Cruise 2’s fate remains uncertain, Dwayne Johnson’s recent comments have sparked renewed hope and anticipation for another thrilling adventure with Emily Blunt. As fans eagerly await further updates, the prospect of embarking on a new journey down the Amazon River with Johnson and Blunt at the helm promises to be an exhilarating ride worth the wait.

Is Jungle Cruise 2 officially confirmed?

While there has been speculation and enthusiasm surrounding the possibility of a sequel to Jungle Cruise, no official confirmation has been announced by Disney or the filmmakers. However, Dwayne Johnson’s recent comments suggest that there is interest in exploring a sequel in the future.

Will Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt return for Jungle Cruise 2?

While nothing has been confirmed, both Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt have expressed fondness for their roles in Jungle Cruise and have hinted at the potential for a reunion. Given their chemistry and friendship, it’s likely that they would be keen to reprise their characters if the opportunity arises.

Who would be involved in the production of Jungle Cruise 2?

It’s expected that producer Beau Flynn and director Jaume Collet-Serra, who helmed the original film, would be involved in any potential sequel. However, official announcements regarding the production team have not been made.

When could production on Jungle Cruise 2 begin?

As of now, there is no information available regarding the timeline for production on Jungle Cruise 2. Various factors, including the availability of the cast and crew, as well as Disney’s production schedule, would influence the timing of any potential sequel.

Where can I watch Jungle Cruise?

Jungle Cruise was released theatrically and is also available for streaming on the Disney+ platform. Viewers can access the film on Disney+ with a subscription to the service.

What can we expect from Jungle Cruise 2?

While specific plot details for Jungle Cruise 2 have not been revealed, it’s likely that the sequel would continue the adventure-filled journey of the characters introduced in the first film. Fans can anticipate more action, humor, and globe-trotting escapades along the Amazon River.

Will Jungle Cruise 2 be released in theaters or on streaming platforms?

Given Disney’s approach to releasing films both theatrically and on streaming platforms like Disney+, it’s possible that Jungle Cruise 2 could follow a similar distribution strategy. However, official details regarding the release format have not been announced.

How successful was Jungle Cruise at the box office?

Despite facing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jungle Cruise performed relatively well at the box office and received positive feedback from audiences. Its availability on Disney+ also contributed to its success by reaching a wider audience.

Are there any other projects featuring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt?

In addition to Jungle Cruise, Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt are set to collaborate on the upcoming Benny Safdie MMA drama, The Smashing Machine. Their chemistry and shared admiration for each other’s work suggest that fans can look forward to seeing them together in future projects.