New Jurassic Sequel Director
Universal eyes J.A. Bayona to direct the Jurassic World Rebirth sequel following a creative departure.
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Key Points
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Bayona’s previous Jurassic film, Fallen Kingdom, grossed $1.31 billion worldwide, but critics and audiences both gave it a 47% Rotten Tomatoes score.
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Bayona has described his approach to the franchise as serving its established world and legacy, saying, “you put your craft at the service of the world that has been established already by other directors.”
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Reflecting on directing the middle film of a trilogy, Bayona said that chapter is exciting because it picks up the first film’s repercussions and plants seeds for the third: “You don’t need to deal with the mess you are creating with this story.”
Universal is eyeing J.A. Bayona to direct the Jurassic World Rebirth sequel after original director Gareth Edwards stepped away over creative differences. Comic Book reports that Bayona, who helmed Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, has emerged as the studio's top choice. Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey are expected to return, with screenwriter David Koepp penning the script.
Rebirth earned less than $1 billion worldwide but still greenlit a follow-up. Collider notes Universal sought a veteran director with franchise experience after Edwards' exit. Bayona's track record includes Fallen Kingdom, which grossed $1.31 billion globally, though critics gave it a mixed 47% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Edwards Departs Amid Creative Conflict
Gareth Edwards, known for Rogue One and Godzilla, directed Jurassic World: Rebirth but will not return for the sequel. Screen Rant confirms Edwards left the project due to creative disagreement with Universal. The departure opened the door for Bayona, a director with proven success in the dinosaur franchise's established world.
Bayona's Previous Jurassic World Success and Approach
Bayona directed Fallen Kingdom to $1.31 billion worldwide, making him familiar with the franchise's scale. However, critics and audiences gave the film a tepid 47% Rotten Tomatoes score. Despite mixed reception, Bayona has expressed respect for the established world, saying he puts his craft "at the service of the world that has been established already by other directors."
Middle Chapter Strategy for the Trilogy
Bayona has described directing the middle film of a trilogy as particularly valuable. The second chapter, he explained, "picks up the first film's repercussions and plants seeds for the third," allowing him to advance the story without creating unresolved plot threads. "You don't need to deal with the mess you are creating with this story," Bayona noted, highlighting the strategic advantages of the sequel's position in the planned trilogy.
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