Universal is gearing up for a new installment in the Jurassic World franchise and is reportedly in talks with director David Leitch to helm the project. The upcoming movie is set to take a fresh approach, leaving behind the cast led by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard from Colin Trevorrow’s trilogy. The screenplay will be handled by David Koepp, the original screenwriter for Jurassic Park.
The discussions with David Leitch are ongoing, and if finalized, the film is expected to go into production soon with a planned theatrical release on July 2, 2025, according to a report from Deadline.
While there’s a possibility that details could change, Universal is likely to secure Leitch promptly given the momentum behind the project. Leitch, known for directing films like Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train, recently worked on The Fall Guy, an action film starring Ryan Gosling, scheduled to hit theaters in May.
The plot of the new Jurassic World installment remains undisclosed, and notably, none of the actors from the previous trilogies, including Pratt, Howard, and the original Jurassic Park trio of Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, are expected to be involved. This suggests the introduction of an entirely new set of characters.
Despite not achieving the critical acclaim of Steven Spielberg’s original 1993 hit, the Jurassic World movies were tremendous box office successes.
Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Jurassic World: Dominion each grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. Universal’s eagerness to fast-track another installment reflects the ongoing popularity of the franchise.
Excitingly for fans, the new movie signals an attempt by Universal to bridge the gap between Jurassic Park and Jurassic World.
While retaining the familiar title, the involvement of David Koepp in the screenplay adds a nostalgic touch, reconnecting the franchise with the spirit of the original Jurassic Park films and diverging from Colin Trevorrow’s contributions.