Disney has been getting ideas for its cinematic productions from everywhere. One favorite source has been adapting rides and attractions from their amusement parks into films. Sometimes they become blockbuster franchises like “Pirates of the Caribbean” had been. Other times they fade into obscurity like “The Haunted Mansion” from 2003. Regardless of success, some elements from the movie versions tend to trickle back into the rides that inspired them. Again, “Pirates of the Caribbean” is a prime example, thanks to Johnny Depp’s character Jack Sparrow. Now, Disney’s upcoming “Jungle Cruise” film is already making important changes to its source attraction, even before the cinematic premiere.
The Los Angeles Times reports that, ahead of Disney’s “Jungle
Cruise” movie coming out in theaters later this year, the House of Mouse has
announced some alterations to the original riverboat attraction at Disneyland
Park, and its “sisters” in Florida, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Disney announced the
move this past Monday, January 25, along with an explanation on just what
changes will be done. To wit, certain cultural elements of the cruise that are
now incorrect in terms of racial sensitivity will be removed. Where indigenous
peoples once “attacked” the riverboat with thrown spears, wild animals are
taking their places.
Considering the first Jungle
Cruise was opened in Disneyland back in 1955, it is understandable that some culture
depictions are now suspect by current scholarly standards, like the aforementioned
hostile river tribesmen. Disney Imagineering creative development and inclusion
strategies executive Carmen Smith noted the need for updating when she said, “As
Imagineers, it is our responsibility to ensure experiences we create and
stories we share reflect the voices and perspectives of the world around us.”
Similar actions were done several years ago for “Pirates of the Caribbean”
where a “wench auction” animatronic sequence was revamped with said auctioned
woman being recast as a lady pirate.
Meanwhile, the “Jungle Cruise”
movie looks set to be released this coming July 30. This was after two premiere
changes: originally it was scheduled for October 2019, then for July 24 last
year. The COVID pandemic pushed the release to the current date. Dwayne Johnson
and Emily Blunt star as a riverboat captain-scientist duo on a race against a
rival German expedition up the jungles of the Amazon River to find a rumored
Tree of Life with powerful healing qualities.
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