Dwayne Johnson Celebrates Danny DeVito as Jumanji 3 Wraps
On Feb. 17 (ET), Dwayne Johnson marked the end of shooting for the latest Jumanji film with a heartfelt message for veteran actor Danny DeVito, sharing behind-the-scenes photos and praising DeVito's presence, humour and mentorship throughout the franchise.
Johnson's warm tribute
Johnson shared three set images featuring himself, Danny DeVito and longtime co-star Kevin Hart. In the central image DeVito stands between the two, with Johnson leaning in and planting a kiss on DeVito's head. The accompanying message framed the wrap as an emotional milestone: “That’s an official Jumanji wrap on the one and the only, Danny DeVito. To work with you, and learn from you has been an honor ~ and to call you my friend, will always be a privilege. ”
He praised DeVito as an “anchoring heart” and a source of joy across the franchise, closing the note with a playful nudge—“please keep smilin’ and please keep exfoliating the top of your head. ” The tone blended gratitude and humour, underscoring a camaraderie that has grown between the cast across multiple films.
DeVito’s role and the franchise legacy
DeVito is set to reprise his role as Eddie Gilpin in the newest Jumanji entry, returning to a franchise that has repeatedly reinvented the source material. The film series traces its roots to the children’s novels Jumanji and Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg and spans a variety of adaptations, from the original board-game thriller to modern reboots that shift the peril into video-game territory.
Across its iterations the franchise has combined star-driven comedy with adventure spectacle. Earlier films and related projects featured a mix of established names and younger talent, and the installments that followed the original story broadened the concept while preserving the central idea: players must finish the game to undo the supernatural chaos it unleashes.
Johnson’s message—part personal tribute, part public celebration—highlights how the newest chapter leans on both legacy performers and franchise staples. DeVito’s comic timing and grounded presence have been noted as a stabilising influence for ensemble casts navigating high-concept action-comedies.
What comes next
With production wrapped for DeVito’s portion of filming, attention will shift to post-production and scheduling details for release. The cast’s shared statements and images suggest a close-knit atmosphere on set, and the industry will be watching how the film balances franchise expectations with fresh storytelling choices.
For fans, the completion of principal photography on this key performance is a clear sign that the next Jumanji chapter is moving forward. The combination of veteran actors and returning leads positions the film to emphasize both character-driven comedy and the adventurous, game-driven stakes that have defined the series.
Johnson’s public tribute serves as a reminder of the relationships at the heart of long-running franchises: beyond box-office metrics and special effects, these projects often become collaborative spaces where performers teach one another and carry forward a shared sense of fun. For Danny DeVito, the latest wrap marks another milestone in a career spanning decades—and an affectionate acknowledgment from a co-star who called the experience an honour.
