It’s official: the game has glitched. Jumanji 4 is filming in Los Angeles, and the first wave of set photos confirms what the post-credits scene of The Next Level teased back in 2019—this time, the avatars aren’t trapped in the jungle. They’re loose in the real world. And it’s snowing. And it’s Christmas.
- What the Set Photos Reveal
- Narrative Context: Where We Left Off
- Returning Cast and New Dynamics
- 5 Things the Set Photos Confirm About Jumanji 4
- FAQ
- Is this just Jumanji with Christmas lights slapped on?
- Why bring the avatars out instead of sending the players back in?
- Does this mean we’ll finally get real stakes—or just more CGI ostriches?
- Can a franchise this big still surprise us?
- Is this the end of the road—or a new level?
Thirteen new images from the set show Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, and Kevin Hart in full jungle attire, standing amid garlands, poinsettias, and artificial snow on a city street. It’s not just a visual gag—it’s a genre shift. The jungle is gone. The city is the new level. And the rules? They’re melting faster than the fake snow.
What the Set Photos Reveal
- Costume Continuity: The avatars are still in their classic gear—Johnson’s khakis, Gillan’s crop top and boots, Hart’s utility vest, Black’s explorer ensemble. But the backdrop is pure holiday chaos.
- Urban Invasion: The photos show the cast navigating a snowy street, surrounded by Christmas decor and steam vents. It’s Die Hard meets Jumanji.
- Tone Shift: The juxtaposition of jungle gear and festive cityscape suggests a tonal pivot—less jungle survival, more urban absurdity.
- Real-World Stakes: If the avatars are out, the game is broken. Expect identity confusion, avatar-player clashes, and maybe a few ostriches.
Narrative Context: Where We Left Off
The ending of Jumanji: The Next Level hinted at this rupture. A repairman triggers the game, and suddenly ostriches are stampeding through the streets. Spencer and his friends watch in horror. Now, with filming underway as of November 11, 2025, the sequel picks up that thread—and pulls hard.
The avatars, once confined to the game’s jungle logic, are now walking among us. But they’re not just skins. They’re characters with motives, memories, and possibly personalities distinct from their players. That opens the door to chaos—and comedy.
Returning Cast and New Dynamics
Confirmed returning cast includes:
- Nick Jonas as Jefferson “Seaplane” McDonough
- Awkwafina as Ming Fleetfoot
No word yet on Rory McCann as Jurgen the Brutal, or whether his player will be revealed. But the photos suggest the core four are central again—and this time, they’re not just surviving. They’re adapting.
5 Things the Set Photos Confirm About Jumanji 4
The Game Is Broken
Avatars in the real world mean the rules are gone—and the stakes are personal.
Holiday Setting Adds Contrast
Snow, garlands, and hot dog stands clash beautifully with jungle gear—expect visual comedy.
Costumes Stay Iconic
The avatars haven’t changed—but the world around them has, radically.
Urban Mayhem Is the New Jungle
Steam vents, traffic, and Christmas chaos replace vines and temples.
Filming Is Active and Public
With 13 photos already circulating, the studio is leaning into visibility—expect more soon.
FAQ
Is this just Jumanji with Christmas lights slapped on?
It could’ve been. But the set photos suggest something smarter: the holiday isn’t set dressing—it’s thematic sabotage. Christmas is about control, tradition, predictable joy. Jumanji is chaos, improvisation, survival. Forcing Dr. Smolder Bravestone to navigate a mall Santa line isn’t just funny—it’s existential warfare. This isn’t Home Alone 5. It’s The Twilight Zone directed by someone who really loves puns.
Why bring the avatars out instead of sending the players back in?
Because the real world is far scarier than any jungle. In the game, you die and respawn. In reality, you get grounded. You lose your job. You disappoint your parents. Jumanji: The Next Level already hinted that the trauma lingers—the sequel seems to ask: what if the avatars remember it too? What if Shelly Oberon still flinches at the word “mosquito”? That’s not comedy. That’s post-traumatic stress with a punchline.
Does this mean we’ll finally get real stakes—or just more CGI ostriches?
Let’s be honest: there will be ostriches. Probably wearing tiny sweaters. But the real test is whether the film dares to let the avatars disagree with their players. Imagine Ming Fleetfoot refusing to follow Spencer’s orders. Or Seaplane deciding he likes Earth better—and doesn’t want to go back. That’s where the franchise could evolve from popcorn fun into something genuinely strange. Stranger, even, than a sweaty Jack Black in snow boots.
Can a franchise this big still surprise us?
It has before. Jumanji: Welcome to Jungle shouldn’t have worked—and yet, it did, because it treated the game like a character, not a gimmick. This sequel doubles down on that idea: the game isn’t broken. It’s evolving. And if the studio trusts the cast (and the audience) enough to let the tone wobble between slapstick and melancholy—even for a scene—that’s worth celebrating. Even if it’s just Kevin Hart slipping on fake ice for the 47th take.
Is this the end of the road—or a new level?
With filming active and the core four back, it feels like Sony is betting this is the final swing. And if it is? Good. Let it go out swinging, sweating, and slightly confused in a Santa hat. Some franchises deserve a clean exit. Others deserve one last, glorious, nonsensical glitch.
Filming began on November 11, 2025, and as of November 21, we already have a flood of set photos confirming the avatars’ chaotic arrival in Los Angeles. Sony has locked in a December 11, 2026 theatrical release date, positioning Jumanji 4 as a holiday tentpole. The jungle was a level. The city is a glitch. And this franchise looks ready to play dirty one last time. Stay tuned.
