The game changer

American singer, songwriter, actor and record producer Nick Jonas talks about his adventures while making the film, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Nick Jonas has gone from his usual routine of touring around the world with sold-out performances packed with the usual screaming fans, to filming chaos, walking alongside Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, and now transforming into a comedic action star with Jumanji.

In the brand-new adventure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, the tables are turned  as four unlikely friends are sucked into the world of Jumanji.  When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they decide to play and are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, in the bodies of their avatars, played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.  What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji — Jumanji plays you.  They’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’.ll be stuck in Jumanji forever.

How were you cast in the film? How did the audition process start?

I was on a tour at that time and I had told my agents that I would want to sign a film after the tour and it was not really in my hands what that film would be. But, the next day they said, “you know it’s funny that you called because they are casting for a role in Jumanji, are you interested?” I loved the first one so much. I was pretty young when it came out, but the first time I watched it I was five with my dad. Got VHS, watched it three or four times in one week. I didn’t know what the characters would be or anything but I sent in a tape while on tour and waited a couple of weeks to hear back but then I got it. And I was really excited and I think just the chance to work with this amazing cast and Jake, the director and to be in a big studio film is a dream.

Considering most of the stuff I’ve done was Indie films and TV projects of a relatively small budget and great story telling but not on such a large scale. And as far as I can say about the character, which I was introduced to along the way that the four heroes are on. And I help them in a moment they really desperately need help but then I’m kind of crippled by fear for many reasons that you’ll see play out. And I think the great part about this script is that like the first one the threats are real, the danger is very real. So my character sets those stakes pretty high and gives one the idea that beyond the comic scenes there is a looming danger and also a fear. We helped each other and that’s how we went about our journey.

What are your special skills?

One of my skills in the film is that I’m a pilot. But even then, I’m not really good at. So, my strengths are also a bit impractical. There is only one skill that I have in particular but it’s like a joke in the movie. It’s like a punch line which makes no sense. But, it’s really funny. Flying is my main thing and it comes in handy in a few moments of the film when I finally figure out how to overcome my fear.

Tell us about any fun moment that happened when you were filming?

The thing we had to look out for on the sets was Kevin Hart’s Instagram and Snapchat stories. He was really good at surprising us with jokes and the most funniest one according to me was — he just played my songs and would walk up to me casually and stand uncomfortably close to me which was really funny. There was not a single dull moment with him around on set. Since we had a lot of scenes together in the film, we became great friends.

What was it like shooting outdoors, especially in the jungles?

To be honest, I prefer cold weather conditions to heat and bugs, but still the whole experience was great. Like there is no way you can look at something and say well that was really tough. I had friends that were way more willing to visit the set than other places I’ve shot like Ohio. The next time I think I could do a movie like The Grey where I could shoot in Antarctica, that will be fun. I like the extreme conditions but maybe I will stay away from the jungles for a little while now.

(Jumanji: Welcome to The Jungle is all set to release on December 29)