Disney shares new footage of Dwayne Johnson-Emily Blunt's 'Jungle Cruise', 'Mulan'

Hollywood's go-to man for action-adventure films, Dwayne Johnson, is ready to take his fans on another ride with "Jungle Cruise" and on this journey, he will be accompanied by none other than 'Mary Poppins' Emily Blunt. There was some friendly banter between the two stars at D23 Expo, as they shared two sneak-peeks from the film.

Johnson entered the hall in a 'Jungle Cruise', while Blunt opted for an old, classic car to arrive at the stage. She argued that they were the real adventurers in the film, which tips its hat to the Disneyland ride of the same name. "I've created a movie in the spirit of my favorite films," Johnson said, citing the example of "Indiana Jones" and "African Queen", which are about "heroic men, kicking a**, and saving the girl".

But Blunt, who portrays Dr. Lily Houghton in "Jungle Cruise", offered a different perspective. As they continued the game of one-upmanship, Johnson reminded Blunt about his role as a demi-god in Disney's animated feature "Moana".

Blunt gave back to him saying, "That was animated. Animated demi-god, was that it. Because last time I was here, I was literally Mary Poppins." Jokes aside, Blunt agreed that the film gave a nod to classic adventure stories.

"We were just so moved, so honored to be in a movie like this because we both grew up just madly in love with 'Indiana Jones', and obsessed with that kind of movies, 'Romancing the Stone'. "So to be a part of something like this, in the same spirit, just makes my heart race," Blunt told Sean Bailey, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.

Johnson said it was important for him to portray the character in a responsible manner because it has such a storied history. "We are also keenly aware of the responsibility that we have for such a beloved property and that property is Jungle Cruise. This ride is important to everyone in this room, generations, everyone around the world.

"In 1955, as many of you would know or may not know when the park opened Walt Disney had one baby and that baby was 'Jungle Cruise' and he was the very first skipper," Johnson said, calling the movie "the adventure of a lifetime". The live-action panel of the studio at D23 Expo also included a look at "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil", starring Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emma Stone-starrer "Cruella", a punk rock take on the classic Disney villain, and screening of some new footage from its ambitious "Mulan" remake.

"Mulan" lead actor Crystal Yifei Liu was not present at the event, even though director Niki Caro attended. The footage included the scene where Mulan is presented to the village matchmaker but things do not go as planned.

Caro said she was inspired by the 1500-year-old Chinese folklore to come on board as a director. Her journey from village girl to male soldier to warrior to hero, she represents all of us. The story is as relevant and inspiring today as it was when written 1500 years ago," the director added.

According to Variety, Liu skipped the event after she got embroiled in a huge controversy over her support to Chinese authorities amid the crackdown in Hong Kong. "Mulan" releases in March next year.

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