The Jurassic World franchise is gearing up for its next instalment with significant casting developments in the works. Jonathan Bailey, renowned for his roles in Netflix’s Bridgerton and Fellow Travelers, is reportedly in early talks with Amblin Entertainment and Universal for a leading role, as per Deadline.
Joining him could be Scarlett Johansson, whose name has recently been linked to the project, potentially positioning them as the new faces of the franchise, moving away from its previous leads, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
This fresh direction for the franchise comes under the directorship of Gareth Edwards, known for his work on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and The Creator. Initially, there was some uncertainty regarding whether David Leitch, director of The Fall Guy and Bullet Train, would take on directing duties. However, Edwards is now confirmed to helm the project, promising a new vision for the beloved dinosaur saga.
Universal is eager to maintain its relationship with Bailey, who is also set to star in the studio’s upcoming adaptation of Wicked. His potential involvement in Jurassic World 4 suggests a strategic alignment of star power across major projects. Meanwhile, Johansson’s inclusion would mark a significant addition, bringing her star quality to the dinosaur franchise.
The script for the new Jurassic World entry is being penned by David Koepp, who was the original scribe for Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World. This return to the franchise’s writing roots is anticipated to inject a fresh yet familiar narrative energy into the upcoming film.
Set to diverge from its predecessors, the new Jurassic World movie will not be a direct sequel to Jurassic World: Dominion but rather a reboot introducing new characters. This approach marks a shift from the continuity of the recent trilogy, which interlinked characters from both the original Jurassic Park and the Jurassic World series.
Fans of Jonathan Bailey can also catch him in the acclaimed series Bridgerton currently streaming on Netflix (with a new season out this summer), and soon in Wicked: Part One, directed by Jon M. Chu, where he will play Prince Fiyero. As the Jurassic World franchise prepares to evolve, these new developments signal an exciting future for the dinosaur-driven narrative.
The new Jurassic World movie roars into cinemas on 2 July 2025.