Con Air Screenwriter To Rewrite Sony's Jumanji Remake

Sony's Jumanji remake is getting a rewrite from Scott Rosenberg, according to Deadline.

Rosenberg is best known for penning Con Air, Gone in 60 Seconds, Pain & Gain and Kangaroo Jack.

In August, the studio announced their slate films and slotted the Jumanji remake to open Christmas Day next year. Reception to the news was overwhelmingly negative. Most people seemed troubled by the timing of the announcement as it had only been a year since Robin Wiliams had died. He starred in the original 1995 film, along with Bonnie Hunt and Kirsten Dunst.

The remake is said to re-imagine Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 children's book, in which the original film was loosely-based on. Like in the film, the book features a jungle-oriented board game that comes to life, but many of the adult characters, like Williams' Alan Parrish were invented for the film. There was no backstory involving a boy being trapped in the game for over 2 decades. It's a much simpler tale about Judy and Peter finding the game and playing it until completion.

Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst and Bonnie Hunt star in this phenomenal adaptation of the award-winning children's book. When young Alan Parrish discovers a mysterious board game, he doesn't realize its unimaginable powers, until he is magically transported before the startled eyes of his friend, Sarah, into the untamed jungles of JUMANJI! There he remains for 26 years until he is freed from the game's spell by two unsuspecting children. Now a grown man, Alan (Williams) reunites with Sarah (Hunt)and together with Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce) tries to outwit the game's powerful forces in this imaginative adventure that combines breathtaking special effects with an enchanting mixture of comedy, magic and thrills.

Sony's Jumanji remake is scheduled to open in theaters on December 25, 2016.