Casting is underway forJurassic World 2. Universal took its time in developing the fifthJurassic Parkmovie in total and sequel to last summer’s massive box office hit, but now directorJ.A. Bayonais getting ready to roll cameras, and he’s started to assemble his ensemble. PerVariety,Rafe Spall(Prometheus,Hot Fuzz) andToby Jones(Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,Captain America: The First Avenger) are now in talks to join the untitledJurassic Worldsequel, which hasChris PrattandBryce Dallas Howardreprising their roles from the last film. Details are being kept under wraps, but apparently the production is also getting ready to test for two other key roles in the film.
Jurassic Worldserved as a “rebootquel” in that it acknowledged the events that came before it (mainly the firstJurassic Park) but also set up its own, new protagonists. In the open and thriving Jurassic World theme park, Howard played operations manager Claire Dearing while Pratt played Navy vet and velociraptor expert Owen Grady. The two were spurred into action when the park’s newest creation, a genetically modified super-dinosaur, broke out and started killing any and everything in its path, leaving the island run amok with dinos at the end.
Colin Trevorrow, fresh off his indie debutSafety Not Guaranteed, landed the job of directing and co-writingJurassic World, but given his commitment to helmingStar Wars: Episode IX, he’s not directing the sequel. He co-wrote theJurassic World 2screenplay withDerek Connollyand is producing the film, but Bayona—who helmedThe ImpossibleandThe Orphanageas well as the upcoming tearjerkerA Monster Calls—is directingJurassic World 2.
We don’t know much about the story for this sequel, but Trevorrow previously teased thatit will be “more suspenseful and scary”in Bayona’s hands, adding that the movie is being conceived asa metaphor for the treatment of animals. Spall and Jones make a terrific pair of additions to the ensemble, and one wonders what kind of role they’ll play in the plot. Spall is coming offThe Big Shortand the Showtime seriesRoadiesand has an affinity for both comedy and drama, while Jones has a key role in the upcoming season ofSherlock.
Not all reboots or sequels are guaranteed successes, butJurassic Worldsurpassed all expectations by grossing a whopping $1.67 billion at the box office. Whether audiences will be just as hungry for the sequel remains to be seen, but it’ll be interesting to see what kind of ensemble Bayona puts together and whether the location will shift away from the franchise’s jungle setting.
Filming onJurassic World 2begins early next year. The sequel opens in theaters on August 19, 2025.
