As the next Jumanji sequel approaches its 2026 release, director Jake Kasdan addressed questions about Kirsten Dunst’s absence from the rebooted films, explaining the narrative challenges of including her character.

A young Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt and, of course, the late Robin Williams leading the craziest board game any of us have ever seen (and some of his best lines in movies) can be found here. The book-turned-movie cemented its place in Hollywood and the fictitious world came back in 2017,

Director Jake Kasdan is still looking for the right way to bring Kirsten Dunst back into the Jumanji franchise. Dunst starred in the original 1996 film when she was a child star, but she recently told The Hollywood Reporter that she has never been approached about the newer movies – not even for a cameo.

Director Jake Kasdan has shared why Kirsten Dunst has not returned to the Jumanji franchise. Dunst starred in the original 1995 film as Judy Shepherd but has not been part of the sequels that began in 2017.