Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a 2017 American fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Chris McKenna , Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg , and Jeff Pinkner , based on a story by McKenna. Part of the Jumanji franchise , the film is a sequel to the 1995 Jumanji , which was based on the 1981 children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg . It pays tribute to Robin Williams , the star of the first film, by mentioning his character's name. In addition, a replica of the board game piece used by Williams's character also appears as a clue for the Jumanji game's new players. The film stars Dwayne Johnson , Jack Black , Kevin Hart , Karen Gillan , Nick Jonas , and Bobby Cannavale . Set twenty-one years after Jumanji , it follows four teenagers who are transported into the video game world of Jumanji and play as their chosen characters . Joining another player, they must overcome the game's magical power to win and return home.