No, the Jumanji film is not an original story in the sense of being the first version of the concept.
The True Origin of Jumanji
While the Jumanji films are widely known, the story did not originate on the screen. According to the reference provided, the film is not based on a real board game. Instead, it is based on a children's book of the same name, with the same concept, written by Chris Van Allsburg and released in 1981.
This means that the book by Chris Van Allsburg is the original source material for the Jumanji story. The films are adaptations of this pre-existing literary work.
Key Takeaways
- The Jumanji story originates from a book.
- The book, titled Jumanji, was written by Chris Van Allsburg.
- It was first released in 1981.
- The films are adaptations of this book.
So, while the films brought the story to a wider audience, the original creative concept and narrative began with Van Allsburg's picture book.
