Dwayne Johnson has officially stated that the Dwayne Johnson Disney franchise dead rumor is true, confirming there will be no sequel to Jungle Cruise as initially hoped. The announcement comes more than four years after the release of the film, which starred Johnson and Emily Blunt, and was widely seen as a potential new tentpole for Disney’s lineup.
Dwindling Hopes for a Jungle Cruise Follow-Up
When Jungle Cruise launched in 2021, it was promoted as Disney’s next big adventure franchise, inspired by its famous theme park ride and hoping to follow in the lucrative steps of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Despite the star power of Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, the film opened to mediocre critical reception, scoring only 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, and grossed $221 million globally—a modest sum by blockbuster standards.
Initial industry reports suggested a sequel was on the way, with Johnson and Blunt expected to return. However, after months of silence on the project, doubts grew about the future of Jungle Cruise 2. Complications stemming from the global COVID-19 pandemic, new leadership at Disney, and underwhelming box office returns have effectively ended the likelihood of a second film.
Direct Confirmation from Johnson and Blunt
During a recent appearance on Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist podcast, both Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt discussed the state of the franchise. Johnson addressed the shift in Disney’s approach since the pandemic and the effect of internal changes at the studio.
“I think when Disney came under new leadership, they just shifted coming out of COVID…COVID shifted our business in a lot of ways. I think they looked at that property and thought, we did it once, not sure if we should revisit it again. Despite whether or not our chemistry was great.”
– Dwayne Johnson, Actor
Emily Blunt echoed this sentiment, acknowledging Disney’s decision to halt any continuation of the story.
“They did not want to set sail again, and that’s fine.”
– Emily Blunt, Actress
These comments put to rest speculation about a possible return to the jungle, marking an official end to the plans for a franchise based on the Jungle Cruise property.
Challenges That Ended the Franchise’s Journey
Disney has a history of adapting its popular theme park attractions into films, aiming for fresh franchises to captivate audiences. The Pirates of the Caribbean series remains its most successful example, while other attempts like Tomorrowland and Haunted Mansion have failed to generate similar success. Jungle Cruise was positioned to fill the void left by action-adventure franchises such as Indiana Jones and National Treasure.
However, several obstacles blocked its path. The initial hope was rooted in the film’s promising stars and blockbuster ambitions, but the movie’s lukewarm critical and commercial response undermined sequel prospects. Production was completed before COVID-19’s onset, but the pandemic delayed its release by a full year. When the film finally arrived, audience attendance was hindered by ongoing theater closures and public uncertainty, further stunting its financial performance.
Industry experts and fans have noted that, had Jungle Cruise received more enthusiastic reviews and higher box office numbers, Disney might have doubled down on producing a sequel. Instead, a combination of underwhelming reception and pandemic-era business challenges led executives to reconsider investing further in the property.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Disney and Its Talent
With the Dwayne Johnson Disney franchise dead, Jungle Cruise now stands among other park-inspired efforts that fell short of shaping new cinematic universes. The decision leaves Johnson and Blunt available for other major projects, while Disney recalibrates its approach to adapting theme park properties.
The film itself remains available for streaming on Disney+, where viewers can watch Johnson’s portrayal of the enigmatic riverboat captain and Blunt as the determined scientist embarking on an epic journey to uncover the jungle’s secrets. Disney’s experiment with Jungle Cruise may have ended sooner than anticipated, but the collaboration between its high-profile cast and creative team remains a notable chapter in the studio’s ongoing efforts to transform theme-park magic into blockbuster success.
As the entertainment landscape continues to change, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, the Jungle Cruise outcome will serve as both a cautionary tale and a learning experience for future feature film ventures rooted in beloved theme park experiences. For now, fans will have to look elsewhere for the next big adventure from stars like Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
