Who Does Danny DeVito Play In ‘Jumanji: The Next Level’?
The 2017 action-comedy Jumanji: Welcome the Jungle was a sort-of sequel (more of a companion film, really) to the original 1995 Robin-Williams flick. The sequel was a surprising hit — it took what we loved about the original but made it something entirely new. Now, a sequel to the sequel (so, technically speaking, the third film in the franchise) is on its way. Here’s a look at it, including Danny DeVito’s intriguing role.
What is Jumanji: The Next Level about?
The film sees the original group of four split up. Spencer (who became Dwayne Johnson in the video game world) rebuilds the game that was destroyed in the previous film and enters the came without his friends. When they come to look for him, they realize they have to go back into the game again — only things don’t work out quite as they planned.
Instead of Fridge, Martha, and Bethany returning to their original characters, everyone (save for Martha, who is again Ruby Roundhouse, played by Karen Gillan) is playing a different avatar, including two very special newcomers who are definitely not prepared for what lies ahead.
Danny DeVito plays this character
DeVito stars as Eddie Gilpin, Spencer’s grandfather who is worried about it him. He is then inadvertently dragged into the game when Martha activates it, taking over Spencer’s role as Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Johnson).
Seeing Johnson act like a teenager who lacks confidence was fun, but this looks like it’s going to be even more entertaining. Johnson appears to be channeling his inner-grandpa, and he’s clearly enjoying it.
He’s joined by Danny Glover in this role
Just one old man in a video game is a pretty funny concept — but two? That’s a blast. Danny Glover plays Milo Walker, Eddie’s friend who introduced himself to the teenagers and is in the house with Eddie when they activate the game.
In Jumanji world, Milo’s avatar is Mouse, played by Kevin Hart. Hart, a skilled physical comedian, manages to expertly capture Glover’s facial expressions and tone of voice. He did a great job in Welcome to the Jungle of emulating a much-larger teenage boy, but this feels like a role he was born to play.
Here’s who else is coming back for the sequel
In addition to the central four teenagers (played by Ser’Darius Blain, Morgan Turner, Alex Wolff, and Madison Iseman), the original avatars are, of course, present (Johnson, Gillan, Hart, and Jack Black as Professor Sheldon, this time playing Fridge). Additionally, Nick Jonas returns as Seaplane and Rhys Darby as the game’s “tour guide” Nigel Billingsley.
As for new characters, aside from Glover and DeVito, we know very little. Awkwafina appears in an undisclosed role in the game role — she’s seen for a quick second on a snowy mountain in the trailer. So we’ll have to wait and see who else shows up.
When does The Next Level come out?
Welcome to the Jungle came out in December 2017, just in time for Christmas. So naturally, Sony decided to stick with what worked. The Next Level is set to arrive in theaters across the U.S. on Dec. 13, 2019.
