Disney’s Jungle Cruise was another successful movie made from a beloved Disney theme park ride, following in the footsteps of the blockbuster franchise Pirates of the Caribbean. The film stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (who’s currently regarded as the highest-paid actor in Hollywood), Emily Blunt, Paul Giamatti, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Edgar Ramirez. Blunt is Dr. Lily Houghton, a smart and tough woman in the early 1900s who’s looking to find a long-lost ancient tree, which is said to have incredible healing powers and would be able to advance the future of modern medicine. Johnson plays Frank, a veteran boat captain whom Blunt hires to take her on the epic riverboat journey needed to reach her goal. As one might expect, the female doctor isn’t the only one looking to find this very special tree, which of course only complicates the epic voyage ahead.
While the film is slated to have a sequel on the horizon, with both Johnson and Blunt reprising their starring roles, the actors themselves have led interesting lives of their own. For example, Blunt is married to The Office star John Krasinski, whom audiences know best as the lovable office prankster Jim Halpert. However, this is pretty common knowledge for anyone who’s followed Blunt’s career or seen photos of her at an awards ceremony or movie premiere. Johnson is commonly known for his iconic pro-wrestling career with World Wrestling Entertainment, where he got his start entertaining “the millions” of fans in the WWE Universe as The Rock. What are some lesser-known facts about the Jungle Cruise actors though? Here are eight things you may not have known about the cast of Disney’s Jungle Cruise.
8 Dwayne Johnson Played College Football for The U
Johnson was a defensive lineman who played college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes as part of their 1991 AP National Championship winning team. Johnson even had the opportunity to play alongside football legends Warren Sapp and Ray Lewis, who are now both part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During his four years with the team, Johnson appeared in 39 games and recorded 77 tackles as well as 4 sacks. Billed at 6’5” and 290 pounds at the time, Johnson wore #94. One time, during a game with the San Diego State Aztecs, a brawl broke out between the two teams on the field, which resulted in Johnson chasing the opposing team’s mascot up into the stands!
7 Emily Blunt was Marvel’s First Choice for Black Widow and Peggy Carter
Blunt was offered big roles in the MCU on two separate occasions: Black Widow (who first appeared in Iron Man 2) and Peggy Carter (who first arrived onscreen in Captain America: The First Avenger). Blunt doesn’t seem to be a huge fan of the genre, stating in an interview with Vulture Magazine that “usually the female parts in a superhero film feel thankless. She’s the pill girlfriend while the guys are whizzing around saving the world.” Blunt also stated that on at least one occasion “the timing wasn’t right”, so perhaps she’d be open to a superhero movie in the future if offered the right role.
6 Paul Giamatti’s Dad Bart Giamatti was the Commissioner of Major League Baseball
Paul Giamatti is a big name in Hollywood. He’s starred in films such as Sideways, 12 Years A Slave, Cinderella Man, American Splendor, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. His father Bart, however, was arguably the most important man in Major League Baseball for five months, before his untimely passing from a heart attack at age 51. Before landing the commissioner role in 1989, Giamatti was the President of the MLB’s National League, and before that he was the President of Yale University. Giamatti’s short time as Commissioner is probably best known for his handling of the Pete Rose baseball gambling scandal in which Rose voluntarily agreed to remain permanently ineligible from being part of the sport, including not being eligible to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
5 Dwayne Johnson was a Third-Generation Pro Wrestler
While it’s no secret that Johnson got his big break in pro wrestling, many non-wrestling fans may not know The Rock comes from a family lineage of famous pro wrestlers, with his grandfather “High Chief” Peter Maivia and his father Rocky Johnson paving the way for him. This may, however, have become more common knowledge with the airing of the NBC television show Young Rock, which covers Johnson’s earlier life, including his run-ins with the larger-than-life characters of the World Wrestling Federation (now known as World Wrestling Entertainment). Young Rock was even recently renewed for a third season.
4 Emily Blunt Once Struggled with a Speech Impediment
Blunt has previously opened up to People Magazine, stating for years she had a stutter. “I started noticing it at 6 or 7 (years old). It was very bad. It got progressively worse. By the time I was 12 or 13, it was probably at its peak,” Blunt explained. One of the ways Blunt was able to overcome this issue was by acting. However, the issue came back for some time while she was pregnant with her first child in 2013.
3 Dwayne Johnson was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017
Known for his many successful movies, Johnson received the 2,624th star on December 13th, 2017 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star was dedicated to him in the category of Motion Pictures and can be found at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Hollywood & Highland. His star is next to the stars of World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon as well as Kermit the Frog.
2 Actor Stanley Tucci is Emily Blunt’s Brother-in-Law
Emily Blunt is a huge fan of her brother-in-law Stanley Tucci. The two even co-starred together in The Devil Wears Prada, and it was Blunt who actually introduced Tucci to her older sister Felicity at The Devil Wears Prada movie premiere! Tucci and Blunt’s sister Felicity have been married since 2012.
1 Paul Giamatti was Reportedly Offered the Role of Michael Scott in The Office
As the role that ultimately catapulted actor Steve Carell into the mainstream spotlight, The Office is regarded as having one of the best television comedy casts of all time. What you actually may be surprised to learn then is how many other esteemed actors first turned down the role or were considered but not cast as Michael Scott. Both Paul Giamatti and Phillip Seymour Hoffman reportedly turned down the chance to play the now-beloved character. Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk was heavily considered for the job and nearly got the role before the show’s then-first choice Steve Carell became available. If you’re wanting to see Giamatti on the small screen, check out his role as Chuck Rhoades on Billions, which just wrapped up the series this year.