Due to Disney pushing back the release of so many of its films (Mulan, Black Widow, Eternals), the domino effect has delayed future projects even farther away. One such movie suffering the pushback is Jungle Cruise, inspired by the Disney Park ride. Originally planned for July 24, 2020, Jungle Cruise won’t be seen in theaters until July of 2021, a full year after its initial release date. In its place, the live-action remake of Mulan will be taking its place on the July 24 theatrical release.
Jungle Cruise stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt, both of whom have previously starred in Disney movies. Johnson played Jack Bruno in Race to Witch Mountain (2009) and voiced the demigod Maui in Moana (2016), while Blunt played the titular character in Mary Poppins Returns (2018). Jack Whitehall will play Blunt’s younger brother, and Paul Giamatti, Edgar Ramirez, Jesse Plemons, and Andy Nyman also feature in the movie.
A movie adaptation for the Jungle Cruise ride was first announced in 2006, most likely motivated by the success of Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl three years prior, but a trailer didn’t appear until October 11, 2019. Filming finished on September 14. With the film industry’s future swinging in the balance because of the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s difficult to say whether Jungle Cruise will be keeping its spot.