The summer movie season of 2025 is set to take us back to the prehistoric era with the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. As the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise and the inaugural film of a "new era" following the conclusion of the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard-led trilogy with Jurassic World Dominion, this new chapter is helmed by director Gareth Edwards. It introduces an entirely new cast, featuring Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. Despite the impressive talent, including the return of original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the trailer suggests that the film's premise might be a step backward for the series. The promised world of dinosaurs from Fallen Kingdom and teased again in Dominion seems to be missing. Let's delve into what the trailer reveals and why the Jurassic World series might be overlooking its most significant opportunity.
**Back to the Cretaceous** --------------------------The Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reception from critics, yet it remains one of the most consistently lucrative blockbuster franchises at the global box office over the past decade. The love for dinosaurs among audiences worldwide ensured that more films were on the horizon, even after Universal decided to retire the cast from the first three World films. The studio quickly assembled a new cast and crew, with Gareth Edwards, known for his work on 2014's Godzilla and Rogue One, being a standout choice. Edwards excels at conveying scale in VFX-heavy blockbusters, and his CGI expertise positions him well for directing four-quadrant films, unlike many Sundance or indie film directors often tapped by franchises like Marvel.
The trailer showcases stunningly animated dinosaurs, a testament to Edwards' skill in capturing motion and detail. His ability to achieve this on a tight schedule—from being hired in February 2024 to starting production by June—is impressive. However, the trailer doesn't provide enough insight into the new characters to gauge their appeal fully. While the action sequences are promising and the dinosaurs are prominently featured, the absence of the "world of dinosaurs" concept teased since Fallen Kingdom looms large. Remember the evil locusts from Jurassic World Dominion? If you don't, you're not alone.
Despite reasons for cautious optimism about Rebirth, the film's failure to embrace the "world of dinosaurs" concept remains a significant concern.
AnswerSee Results**An Island? Again?!** ----------------------It feels like déjà vu: another island teeming with dinosaurs. Jurassic World Rebirth introduces a new setting, supposedly "the research facility for the original Jurassic Park," which doesn't align well with the established canon. Returning to the familiar trope of a tropical island isolated from civilization seems like a retreat from the innovative direction the previous trilogy took, which ended with dinosaurs roaming the globe. According to Universal's official synopsis, "Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet's ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived."
This explanation feels like an unnecessary course correction. Why build up to a global Jurassic World if it's not going to be utilized? Just as Dominion scaled back Fallen Kingdom's ending to confine dinosaur action to a preserve in the Italian Alps, Rebirth now discards the series' most exciting new concept: dinosaurs overrunning the world. This choice is puzzling, especially when trying to relaunch the franchise with fresh characters and ideas while clinging to the same old setting.Moreover, this decision doesn't align with the established lore. Dominion depicted dinosaurs thriving in various global environments, from snowy regions to urban areas. If the world was so inhospitable to dinosaurs, why did they seem to adapt so well in the previous film? The Malta chase in Dominion, featuring carnivores rampaging through a city, was one of the most creative and thrilling sequences. The Jurassic franchise is a sure bet in Hollywood, so why not take a bold step and explore new dimensions?
It's possible that Jurassic World Rebirth has more to offer than what's shown in the trailer. The film was rumored to be titled Jurassic City, suggesting a different setting that might be intentionally concealed. However, it's high time for the Jurassic franchise to move beyond the tropical island motif. While not suggesting a full-blown Planet of the Apes-style world with dinosaurs, there must be a middle ground to showcase these creatures in new environments. We'll see how Jurassic World Rebirth unfolds, but we hope the franchise will finally embrace the value of innovation over repetition.
Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills
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