Dwayne Johnson returns to 'Jumanji: The Next Level'

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Dr. Smolder Bravestone returns for another white-knuckle adventure in "Jumanji: The Next Level" – with a strange twist.

Sony Picture published a picture of the new 'Jumanji: The Next Level' starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan returning for a new round in the action-packed video game. [Photo: IC]

The sequel to 2017's "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," which also sees stars Karen Gillan, Jack Black and Kevin Hart reprise their roles from the previous movie, features the acting talents of newcomers Danny DeVito, Awkwafina and Danny Glover.

The first trailer for the movie, released Monday, July 1, 2019, shows DeVito and Glover's characters accidentally sucked into the virtual Jumanji jungle – with DeVito's Eddie Gilpin (grandfather to Alex Wolff's Spencer Gilpin) occupying the muscle-bound avatar of Dr. Bravestone.

The motley crew of unwitting players are forced to play their way out of the partially broken game, which throws up even harder challenges than before.

As well as returning cast members, "Welcome to the Jungle" director Jake Kasdan returns to helm the movie.

"Jumanji: The Next Level" hits U.S. and U.K. theaters December 13.

(Story includes material sourced from AP)