There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the first trailer for Jumanji: The Next Level, and we still have a couple months to go before the film is released to the public. However, there's something that’s stood out in this first round of marketing, and that’s the fact that Karen Gillan’s Ruby Roundhouse seems to be the only character that hasn’t changed in the film’s lineup.
With everyone else in the Jumanji: The Next Level crew switching into new avatar experiences, it almost looks like Ruby’s not going to change much, as she’s still under the control of Morgan Turner’s Martha. It’s a possibility that’s given us pause, but it looks like it won’t be much of an issue.
Previously, we reported that the following hints were given about Ruby Roundhouse's role in Jumanji: The Next Level, with Jack Black saying:
Also, I should say that Karen is kicking ass in the new Jumanji. Your character has evolved and now you’ve got more stuff and rad stuff to do this time. I can’t say what, because that would be spoiler alerts.
That quote was dropped during Karen Gillan and Jack Black's time shooting the film, as they gabbed about video games and their characters in the new film. This prompted Black to close out this episode of Jablinski Gaming with the information you see above, almost proactively assuring the audience that Jumanji: The Next Level’s trailer was purposely playing coy.
It makes total sense that the Sony marketing team would leave this information out of, at the very least, the film’s teaser. The series is no longer the unknown quantity that it formerly was when director Jake Kasdan helped turn Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle from an iffy reboot prospect into a $962.1 million mega hit.
The weight of expectation is now firmly planted on Jumanji: The Next Level’s back, and this third bite at the franchise apple is going to need a lot of things to pull together in order to repeat such a monumental success. Marketing is going to be extremely key to making that happen, so ultimately, the big game being played to help this series level up to the next tier of blockbuster is a very careful one.
For now, Ruby Roundhouse’s secrets will have to be kept under lock and key, as she’s the control variable that will help make Jumanji: The Next Level’s story work for newbies and veterans alike. Just keep in mind that there’s more going on beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to be revealed.
Jumanji: The Next Level opens on December 13, but if you want to see what else is in store in movie theaters all over before then, head over to the 2019 release calendar for some more fun and games.
