Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment have chosen acclaimed British director Gareth Edwards to take the helm of an all-new Jurassic World film slated for release in 2025. Edwards steps in after negotiations with initial pick David Leitch fell through.
The untitled Jurassic World project will mark a bold new direction for the blockbuster dinosaur franchise, functioning as a standalone story unconnected to prior series installments. Neither returning cast members like Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard nor Jurassic Park trilogy stars such as Jeff Goldblum are expected to appear.
Edwards Brings Impressive Blockbuster Credentials
Edwards is an experienced hand at crafting imaginative, large-scale event films anchored by strong visual aesthetics. His 2014 American Godzilla reboot ably combined spectacle, emotion, and striking monster effects, grossing over $500 million worldwide.
The director followed this success by helming 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which earned over $1 billion globally. Edwards demonstrated an aptitude for populating beloved fictional universes with new characters and conflicts while capturing the essence of the franchises.
Jurassic World presents a chance for Edwards to unleash his creativity within the boundaries of another major property. He will likely aim to recapture the sense of wonder and terror that originally defined Jurassic Park while pioneering a narrative divorced from prior continuity.
Charting a New Course for the Jurassic Era
Specific details remain unknown about the 2025 Jurassic World’s plot and characters. But the project clearly signals Universal’s intent to take the property in a fresh direction rather than simply continuing the saga of Owen Grady and Claire Dearing.
David Koepp, who penned the original Jurassic Park screenplay, will provide the script. This represents a return to the franchise’s roots while exploring uncharted territory. Edwards and Koepp now face the challenge of retaining Jurassic’s nostalgic appeal while expanding its horizons.
For Edwards, known for his meticulous visual style, realizing the prehistoric setting will be paramount. The director will likely employ cutting-edge effects to render dazzling, photo-realistic dinosaurs through his unique lens. If he can balance this technical wizardry with resonant themes and new mythos, this revamped Jurassic World may roar.
