The summer movie season of 2025 is taking a trip back in time with the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. This marks the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise and the dawn of a "new era" following the conclusion of the trilogy led by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard with Jurassic World Dominion. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film boasts a fresh cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. Despite the impressive talent, including the return of original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the trailer suggests the film's premise might be a step back for the series. The promised world of dinosaurs from Fallen Kingdom and teased in Dominion seems to be missing. Let's dive into what the trailer reveals and why the Jurassic World series may be overlooking its most exciting potential.
**Back to the Cretaceous** --------------------------The Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reception from critics, yet it remains one of the most consistently profitable blockbuster series at the global box office over the past decade. Fans worldwide adore their dinosaurs, ensuring Universal's continued investment in the franchise. The studio quickly assembled a new cast and crew, with Gareth Edwards, renowned for his work on 2014's Godzilla and Rogue One, bringing his expertise to the director's chair. Edwards' skill in handling the scale of VFX-heavy films, combined with his CGI background, sets him apart from many directors typically chosen for such projects.
Despite the impressive visuals, the trailer hints at a missed opportunity to explore the 'world of dinosaurs' concept teased since Fallen Kingdom. The dinosaurs in motion are stunning, showcasing Edwards' meticulous attention to detail in proportions and lighting. This visual excellence, achieved on a tight schedule (Edwards was hired in February 2024 and filming began by June), is truly commendable. While the trailer offers limited insight into the new characters, the action sequences and dinosaur screen time are promising, unlike the forgettable evil locusts from Jurassic World Dominion.
However, the absence of the 'world of dinosaurs' looms large, overshadowing the excitement for Rebirth.
AnswerSee Results**An Island? Again?!** ----------------------The setting of Jurassic World Rebirth on yet another island feels all too familiar. Not Isla Nublar or Isla Sorna, but a new, secret island billed as "the research facility for the original Jurassic Park." This choice seems at odds with the franchise's established lore and feels like a retreat to traditional settings, ignoring the global dinosaur presence established in the previous trilogy. 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 step back. Why build up to a global Jurassic World if you're not going to explore it? Just as Dominion limited the dinosaur action to a preserve in the Italian Alps, Rebirth seems to abandon the best new idea the series had in years: dinosaurs roaming freely across the world. This decision is particularly puzzling as the franchise aims to relaunch with new characters and concepts, yet it clings to the same old island setting.Moreover, it doesn't align with the lore established in Dominion, where dinosaurs were shown thriving in various global environments, from snowy regions to urban areas. The Malta chase in Dominion, featuring dinosaurs rampaging through a city, was a highlight of the film. Given the franchise's consistent box office success, it's a safe bet in Hollywood, so why not take a bold step and explore new territories with the series?
There's a possibility that Jurassic World Rebirth holds more surprises than the trailer reveals. The film was initially rumored to be titled Jurassic City, suggesting a different setting that the trailer might be concealing. It's high time for the Jurassic franchise to move beyond the tropical island trope. While a full-on Planet of the Apes-style dinosaur world might be extreme, there must be a middle ground where dinosaurs can be showcased in fresh, innovative environments. We'll have to wait and see how Jurassic World Rebirth unfolds, but we hope the franchise will embrace the chance to explore new horizons rather than revisiting familiar ground.
Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills
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