Dec
‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Promises a New Era for the Dino Franchise
The Jurassic World saga is gearing up for a fresh chapter with Rebirth, a sequel director Gareth Edwards describes as a “giant love letter to Steven Spielberg.” Packed with a star-studded cast including Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend, the film promises to revive the magic that made the franchise a global phenomenon.
Edwards, known for Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), shot much of Rebirth in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, whose “primeval” landscapes offered the perfect backdrop for a story filled with dinosaurs. “We filmed in rivers and mangrove swamps,” Edwards told Entertainment Weekly, revealing the hazardous conditions his cast faced. “We saw massive poisonous water snakes and giant spiders but kept that quiet from the actors as they waded through those areas.”
For ocean scenes, the production shifted to Malta, where the team braved challenging conditions to achieve stunning water stunts. “It’s probably the last film I’ll ever shoot in the ocean,” Edwards admitted. “It was incredibly difficult, but the payoff was worth it. The actors endured physically demanding, near-death experiences, just like their characters.”
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A ‘Rebirth’ of the Franchise
Set to hit theaters on July 2, 2025, Jurassic World: Rebirth is a back-to-basics reinvention of the series, leaning on real-world locations, minimal CGI, and a straightforward yet gripping narrative. While the previous trilogy starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard achieved commercial success, critical acclaim waned. The team behind Rebirth aims to recapture the spirit of Spielberg’s 1993 classic, Jurassic Park, with what Edwards calls “an adventure odyssey across an island—a survival story at its core.”
‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Promises a New Era for the Dino Franchise
“This feels like the start of a new trilogy,” Edwards explained. “It’s less about spectacle and more about creating the awe and tension that defined Spielberg’s earlier works. There are moments reminiscent of Jaws, a series of greatest hits from Spielberg’s films that inspired me as a filmmaker.”
The Plot and Characters
Set five years after the events of Jurassic World: Dominion, where dinosaurs roamed freely among humans, Rebirth explores a world where most of these prehistoric creatures are dying out. However, a small tropical region near the equator has become a sanctuary for the surviving dinosaurs. Within this biosphere, three massive dinosaurs of land, sea, and air hold genetic material critical to a pharmaceutical company’s quest to develop life-saving drugs.
Scarlett Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, a former CIA operative tasked with infiltrating this treacherous region to extract the DNA. She is joined by Mahershala Ali’s Duncan Kincaid, the grizzled captain of their team’s ship, and Jonathan Bailey as paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis, who is unprepared for the life-threatening stakes of their mission. Edwards compares their dynamic to Brody, Hooper, and Quint from Jaws—a trio of distinct personalities clashing in high-stakes situations.
Adding to the tension is Rupert Friend’s Martin Krebs, a pharmaceutical representative overseeing the mission. “Rupert brings a bit of James Bond flair to his character,” Edwards noted, emphasizing the film’s effort to subvert stereotypes.
Twists, Turns, and Dino Drama
The mission takes a chaotic turn when Zora’s team encounters a mayday signal from a civilian boat, the Delgado family, who have survived a dinosaur attack. Played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, and Audrina Miranda, the family’s rescue becomes an unexpected complication in an already perilous operation.
“Everything goes wrong,” Edwards teased. “Once the adventure starts, it doesn’t let up until the credits roll. The thrill is in the moment-to-moment escapes, the suspense, and the terrifying set pieces.”
Returning to Spielberg’s Legacy
For Edwards, Rebirth is more than just another blockbuster—it’s a homage to the cinematic genius of Spielberg, whose Jurassic Park inspired his own career. “Spielberg’s film used only a few dozen VFX shots, yet it was so impactful,” Edwards explained. “We wanted to return to those techniques that build suspense and awe, creating the same edge-of-your-seat feeling I had as a kid.”
Whether it’s braving snake-infested waters or crafting scenes with minimal CGI, Edwards is determined to deliver a film that feels like a true rebirth for the franchise.
Jurassic World: Rebirth roars into theaters on July 2, 2025.
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