Robin Williams’ 1995 adventure fantasy Jumanji is a favorite to many movie buffs. The film features one of the earliest screen appearances of Kirsten Dunst. However, the filming of Jumanji was not an entirely pleasant experience for the Spider-Man actress. Dunst shared that she was in immense pain while filming the memorable chandelier scene from the Joe Johnston directorial.
The memorable scene in discussion featured the Parrish mansion being flooded with water and Robin Williams and the others climbing a chandelier to save themselves from a crocodile. Kirsten Dunst explained that it was a nightmarish experience for her to film wearing wetsuits. However, her mother came up with an exciting idea to ease her pain.
What did Kirsten Dunst’s mother do in the chandelier scene?
Kirsten Dunst played the role of Judy Shepherd in the OG Jumanji film. When the actress recently went to The Kelly Clarkson Show to talk about her latest film, Civil War, Dunst revealed some unheard facts about the 1995 classic. She shared with Clarkson that it was a very painful experience for her and even a few hours felt like weeks in those wetsuits.
However, Kirsten Dunst’s mother Inez Rupprecht played a crucial role in calming her daughter during the scene. She thought that food would be able to ease the pain. So she used to float sandwiches on a raft to the stars sitting on the chandelier.
“We were in wetsuits underneath there and we were there for, it felt like weeks. And my mom would float in like sandwiches because she was like, ‘There needs to be more raft service. There needs to be more food on this set.’ So she’d like, make a bunch of sandwiches and float them out on a raft to us. So we’re just like, soggy, eating sandwiches on a chandelier.”
Both Kelly Clarkson and Kirsten Dunst reflected on how painful it is to film wearing a wetsuit. The host admitted that she would freeze rather than wear a wetsuit. When Clarkson joked that they feel like “Spanx from hell”, Dunst agreed and added- “It is.You’re right. And then to put clothing on top of it. It’s awful. And I was wearing overalls, honestly, I was not happy.”
Watch the entire interview here:
Jumanji developed two standalone sequels Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level. The latter films stars some of the popular names like Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan. Even though the new two Jumanji films have been good, like most fans, Kelly Clarkson also stated that her heart lies with the Robin Williams classic.
Was Kirsten Dunst approached for the new Jumanji films?
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, when Kirsten Dunst was asked if she was even approached for a cameo in the new movies, she replied- “They have not!”. She also added that her son used to like the 1995 classic.
Bebe Neuwirth’s Nora Shepherd, aunt of the first film’s protagonists Peter and Judy, made a cameo appearance in the latest film Jumanji: The Next Level. With another film officially planned for the Dwayne Johnson franchise, there may be a possibility that Kirsten Dunst may be approached for a potential cameo in the upcoming films.
Kirsten Dunst has also been seen recently in A24’s most expensive war drama Civil War, which received praise from the critics.
Civil War is running in theaters near you, while Jumanji can be rented on Apple TV+.
