Dwayne Johnson Honors Robin Williams With Touching ‘Jumanji 4’ Easter Egg as Filming Starts

Dwayne Johnson is among the few actors who have made a successful transition from the wrestling ring to the big screen. While he is always seen in action-heavy or comedic roles, this year he gave a brilliant and serious performance in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. The movie saw Johnson flex his acting chops as he completely disappears into his portrayal of Mark Kerr, and it generated Oscar buzz, though it underperformed at the box office. Johnson will return to the big screen next year with the live-action Moana remake, and while he was expected to move directly to Safdie’s next Lizard Music (which will further give him room to show his acting prowess), it was recently announced that he’ll be filming Jumanji 4 first.

Johnson took to social media to share the production update and his excitement about “bringing the production back home to Los Angeles” from what appears to be the Universal Studios Hollywood lot. He was also seen wearing a dice around his neck, which he confirmed is from the original Jumanji led by legendary actor Robin Williams. He explained that it is a “show of respect” and his way of “honoring Robin and this franchise that he started as we film our very last Jumanji.”

With the new announcement, fans are excited to see the gang back again. The long-awaited sequel of 2019’s hit Jumanji: The Next Level will reunite Johnson with co-stars Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black. Jumanji 4 will also see the comeback of Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Madison Iseman, and Ser’Darius Blaine, reprising their real-world roles as the teens who first got sucked into the video game. While the plot details are scarce, fresh faces have been added to the cast, including Awkwafina, Brittany O’Grady, and Burn Gorman playing the film’s big bad.

‘Jumanji’ Has Become a Very Successful Franchise

The original 1995 starring Williams is an iconic film that spawned a franchise. The reboot Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, starring Johnson and the rest of the gang, brought a new twist to the original movie’s premise by taking us to the jungle. The Jake Kasdan-directed movie earned $962 million at the box office, a 77% Rotten Tomatoes rating from critics, and an 87% audience rating. The film’s success was followed by a sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level, with the original cast returning along with director Kasdan. The movie was another hit, grossing $802 million worldwide. The movie got a 72% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, while the audience gave it an 87%.

Jumanji 4 is set to release in theaters on December 11, 2026. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the final installment.