The Jurassic World franchise is back with a new installment, Jurassic World Rebirth, set to dominate the 2025 summer blockbuster season. This marks the seventh film in the Jurassic Park universe and the beginning of a “new era” following the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard-led trilogy.
Directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla 2014, Rogue One), Rebirth introduces a fresh cast featuring Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali while bringing back original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp.
However, despite the film’s high-profile talent and stunning visuals, the first Jurassic World Rebirth trailer raises concerns about whether the franchise is truly embracing the “Jurassic World” concept or retreating to old ground. Fans who expected a world overrun by dinosaurs after Fallen Kingdom may find themselves asking: why are we back on an island?
Let’s break down the trailer’s highlights, its missed opportunities, and why Jurassic World Rebirth may still have surprises in store.
Back to the Cretaceous: Revisiting an Iconic Franchise
The Jurassic World trilogy may have received mixed reviews, but it remains one of the most consistently successful film franchises at the global box office. Audiences love dinosaurs, and Universal’s decision to continue the series was a no-brainer.
With Gareth Edwards at the helm, Rebirth already has an edge. Known for his incredible sense of scale and VFX expertise, Edwards has a strong track record with visually stunning blockbusters. His work on Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One showcased his ability to craft immersive worlds, making him an exciting choice for this reboot.
And the trailer does not disappoint in terms of visual spectacle. The dinosaurs look incredibly lifelike, with detailed animation, lighting, and proportions that surpass many recent CGI-heavy films. Given that production began just four months after Edwards was hired, the results are impressive.
But while the visuals are stunning, the film’s premise feels oddly familiar…
Jurassic World… or Jurassic Island Again?
One of the biggest criticisms of Jurassic World Rebirth so far is its setting. The film takes place on yet another mysterious island, which is described as “the research facility for the original Jurassic Park.”
This raises several continuity questions:
- What happened to the dinosaurs roaming the world at the end of Fallen Kingdom?
- Why is the franchise returning to isolated locations instead of fully embracing a world where dinosaurs coexist with humans?
- How does this fit within the existing Jurassic Park canon?
Universal’s official synopsis provides some explanation:
“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.”
While this may justify the return to island-based storytelling, it also feels like an unnecessary course correction. The previous trilogy spent years building up the idea of dinosaurs spreading across the globe—only for Dominion to walk it back with a dinosaur sanctuary in the Italian Alps. Now, Rebirth seems to be doubling down on isolation, effectively undoing the biggest narrative risk the franchise ever took.
Why introduce a Jurassic World if you’re just going to contain the dinosaurs again?
What Jurassic World Rebirth Gets Right
Despite the concerns over familiar storytelling, Jurassic World Rebirth still has plenty of exciting elements that make it worth watching:
1. A Fresh Cast with Big Names
The film boasts an entirely new lineup of actors, led by:
✅ Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow, Lucy)
✅ Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Wicked)
✅ Mahershala Ali (Blade, Green Book)
This marks the first time since the original Jurassic Park that a Jurassic film has completely rebooted its main cast.
2. A Director Who Knows How to Handle Scale
Gareth Edwards is renowned for creating massive, immersive worlds. The visual scale of dinosaurs in the trailer suggests he will bring a cinematic grandness to Rebirth that the franchise desperately needs.
3. More Dino Action Than Before
The trailer confirms that we’ll be getting plenty of dinosaurs on screen, which wasn’t always a guarantee (Dominion spent too much time on evil locusts, remember?). The action looks intense and well-shot, which is a great sign.
4. Possible Surprises in Store
Rumors suggest that Rebirth may have hidden surprises. The original working title was Jurassic City, hinting that the trailer may not be revealing the full scope of the film. Could we still see dinosaurs in urban environments?
Is Jurassic World Rebirth Playing It Too Safe?
The Jurassic franchise is one of Hollywood’s most reliable blockbusters, but is Universal being too cautious?
The biggest opportunity of this series has always been to show what happens when dinosaurs and humans share the same world. Fallen Kingdom and Dominion set up that concept, yet Rebirth appears to be avoiding it altogether.
It raises the question:
Is the franchise afraid to take risks?
Instead of bold new storytelling, we’re getting another remote island with dinosaurs in containment. The franchise is playing it safe, which may disappoint long-time fans.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Jurassic World?
Despite its familiar premise, Jurassic World Rebirth still has plenty of potential. The new cast, talented director, and stunning visuals all suggest this could be a strong entry in the series.
However, Universal needs to prove that this new era isn’t just a rehash of what came before. If the franchise is truly reborn, it needs to embrace new ideas and take creative risks.
If Rebirth is just another island adventure, it risks missing out on the biggest storytelling opportunity in Jurassic history.
The Jurassic franchise has always been a safe bet at the box office, but will audiences be satisfied with more of the same?
We’ll find out when Jurassic World Rebirth hits theaters in Summer 2025.
FAQs About Jurassic World Rebirth
1. What is Jurassic World Rebirth about?
The film takes place five years after Jurassic World Dominion, on an island described as “the research facility for the original Jurassic Park.”
2. Who is directing Jurassic World Rebirth?
Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One) is directing the film.
3. Who stars in the new Jurassic World movie?
Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali lead the cast.
4. Does Jurassic World Rebirth continue the story from Dominion?
Yes, but it appears to retreat from the concept of dinosaurs roaming the world, focusing instead on an isolated environment.
5. When does Jurassic World Rebirth release?
The film is set to hit theaters in Summer 2025.
