Dwayne Johnson Announces Jumanji 3 Wrap for Danny DeVito, Calls Collaboration an ‘Honor’
Feb. 17, 2026 (ET) — Dwayne Johnson has marked a milestone on the Jumanji set, posting an emotional tribute to veteran actor Danny DeVito as the team wrapped the Hollywood shoot for DeVito’s part in the upcoming third film. The short message and unseen set photographs capture a camaraderie that extends beyond the camera, underscoring the franchise’s blend of comedy and heart.
Johnson’s public tribute: friendship and gratitude
Johnson shared three images of the cast together — with DeVito flanked by Kevin Hart and Johnson — and used the moment to salute DeVito’s contribution. In his message he called the wrap "an official Jumanji wrap on the one and the only, Danny DeVito, " adding that to work with and learn from DeVito had been "an honor" and that calling him a friend will always be a "privilege. " The star signed off with a warm, jokey note asking DeVito to "please keep smilin’ and please keep exfoliating the top of your head. "
The snapshots show a relaxed trio, the kind of off-camera rapport that fuels comic chemistry on screen. Johnson’s affectionate tone, including calling DeVito "brother, " highlights a collaboration that the performers and crew have framed as both creatively rewarding and personally meaningful.
Where Jumanji 3 stands now: cast, crew and plot hints
The third film in the contemporary Jumanji reboot brings back the core ensemble familiar to audiences: Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas are all expected to return in their iconic avatars. Jake Kasdan, who directed prior entries in the reboot series, has returned to the director’s chair for this installment. The producers have signaled a large ensemble reunion that reintroduces characters from the previous films and some fan favorites from the franchise’s wider history.
Early promotional material and creative teases suggest this entry may shift the stakes: instead of the characters being trapped inside the game, there are hints that avatars could cross over into the real world. That change would open fresh comedic and narrative possibilities while nodding to the original 1995 film and its jungle game conceit. Industry calendars list the film as a major holiday release, planned for a wide theatrical opening on Dec. 11, 2026, positioning it as a tentpole for the Christmas season.
DeVito’s role and the franchise’s legacy
Danny DeVito reprises Eddie Gilpin, the sharp-tongued grandfather introduced in the previous reboot entry, whose avatar was once portrayed by Johnson in an earlier film. That casting flip — veteran actor playing the elder in the real world while the protagonist’s avatar appears as a hulking adventurer — has been a running source of the franchise’s humor and emotional beats.
Jumanji’s rebooted run has also leaned on ensemble interplay, combining slapstick and sentiment. The series traces its roots back to the original novel and the 1995 film that starred a different generation of performers; the new films have expanded that world with video-game logic, avatar swaps and a contemporary comedic sensibility.
With DeVito’s portion of filming complete, the production moves closer to post-production work that will shape the final cut, visual effects and promotional rollout. For fans, Johnson’s public praise underscores both the affection among the cast and the filmmakers’ intent to deliver an installment that honors the franchise’s humor while leaning into fresh ideas for the characters and their adventures.
As the final stages of production progress, audiences can expect more updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses in the months ahead leading up to the planned December release.
