Karen Gillan defends her revealing 'Jumanji' costume

Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Karen Gillan says there's more to her revealing Jumanji costume than meets the eye.

The 29-year-old actress insisted in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that there's "a valid reason" why her character is wearing a crop trop and short shorts in a promo for the new movie.

"I experienced something similar when I worked on Doctor Who and there was such an uproar about my costume when that was first revealed, so I thought it was happening all over again," Gillan admitted.

"I have to say, I'd never take on a role that was truly gratuitous for no reason. There's a really valid reason why she's wearing that. My character is really not happy about it!" she said.

Fans had voiced their dismay over Gillan's outfit after the promo image was released in September. The star promised her Twitter followers at the time that the story behind her skimpy costume would eventually come to light.

"Jumanji! Yes I'm wearing child sized clothes and YES there is a reason! The pay off is worth it, I promise! #Jumanji," she tweeted.

Jumanji co-stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Nick Jonas, and opens in theaters Dec. 22. Johnson said in August that the movie will be a sequel to the 1995 film of the same name starring late actor Robin Williams.

"This new movie will NOT be a remake or reboot of the original," he clarified. "It will be a continuation of the awesome Jumanji adventure 20 years later."

Gillan is known for playing Amy Pond on Doctor Who and Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy. She will reprise Nebula in the forthcoming movies Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Avengers: Infinity War.