Nigerian Actress, Bridget John Celebrates Role In New Hollywood Film, JUMANJI: The Next Level

TAIWO ADELU

Scottish-born Nigerian actress, Bridget John, is happy making it to the big screen in the American Hollywood.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Edo State-born Bridget John, producer and lead actress of the award winning movie “Adora”, was given a non speaking role in Jumanji: The Next Level, which was released in the US on 13 December, 2019.

Jumanji: The Next Level, is a 2019 American fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Kasdan, Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg.

Jumanji: The Next Level is the second sequel to 1995’s Jumanji, following 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and the fourth instalment, overall, in the Jumanji franchise. The film stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Ser’Darius Blain, and Madison Iseman, reprising their roles from the previous film, alongside newcomers Awkwafina, Danny Glover, and Danny DeVito.

The film was theatrically released in the United States on December 13, 2019 by Sony Pictures releasing under its Columbia Pictures label. As of December 17, 2019, it has grossed $224 million worldwide.

“Featuring in a film like this is a landmark achievement in my career as an actress,” John told P.M. EXPRESS from her base in the US. “One of my best kept secrets was been in the film Jumanji: The Next Level; my debut on the big screen worldwide. It has so far been my best experience in my acting career. Working for three weeks on the set with the very best and biggest stars in Hollywood and around the world, I couldn’t be happier.

“When I saw myself on the big screen. Though it was a non speaking role, it means so much to me being part of a film like Jumanji. God has been so good to me. Go see Jumanji: The Next Level in movie theatres now.”

Narrating how she got a call up from the producer of the film, John said: “When I got the audition, they were looking for “Though Guys”, so I submitted for the role and two months later, I got an email that I was booked as one of the bad guys in the fortress of the villain “Jurgen The Brutal” who was played by Roy McCann from Game Of Thrones. I was so excited. I was one of the Director’s pick for the particular scenes.

“When I went in for my fitting, I knew this was real; I am going to be in Jumanji. Initially I was booked for two weeks then was extended to three weeks. It was an awesome experience being on the same set and scenes with some of the biggest actors in the world; The Rock Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Roy McCann and Karen Gillian.”It has been the best experience so far as an actress. It was a lot of work and very long hours, but I enjoyed every moment of it. The cast and crew were amazing. The food was great and if it wasn’t for all the movements on set I would have put on so much weight.

“I had to keep it to myself for confidentiality reasons and also to make sure my scenes made it through the final cut to the theatres and cinemas. When I saw myself on the big screen I could not be more thankful to God who made it possible.”

Jumanji: The Next Level was released on December 5, 2019 simultaneously in China, Singapore, Malaysia and several other Asian countries (and also in Czechia). In the Nordic countries and the Netherlands the film premiered in cinemas on December 6, 2019. The film’s Australian release date is December 26, 2019.

The first trailer was released on July 1, 2019. A second and final trailer was released on October 31, 2019. Box Office reports has it that as of December 18, 2019, Jumanji: The Next Level has grossed $69.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $155.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $224.7 million, against a production budget of about $125 million.

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside Black Christmas and Richard Jewell, and was projected to gross $45–55 million from 4,227 theatres in its opening weekend. The film made $19.4 million on its first day, including $4.7 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $59.3 million, topping the box office.