Despite the Jurassic World movies facing criticism from reviewers, they proved to be massive hits at the box office, with all three films enjoying tremendous success among audiences. While the original trilogy didn’t escape critical disapproval, cinemagoers embraced the franchise.

Now, Universal Studios is gearing up for a fourth installment in the Jurassic World series, and it shouldn’t be a shock given the previous financial triumphs. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter (THR), David Koepp, the writer behind the 1993 Jurassic Park and its 1997 sequel, Jurassic Park: The Lost World, is actively developing the script. Surprisingly, the project is already well into its development phase, with a potential 2025 release date on the studio’s radar.

Although plot details remain tightly guarded, insiders suggest that the upcoming movie will usher in a “new Jurassic era” with an entirely fresh storyline. This implies that fan-favourite actors like Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and the original Jurassic World crew featuring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum may not be reprising their roles.

While the director’s chair remains vacant, veteran producer Frank Marshall, who supervised the Jurassic World trilogy, is returning, along with another Jurassic veteran, Patrick Crowley. Steven Spielberg will executive produce through his Amblin Entertainment banner.

Despite the success of Jurassic World: Dominion, directed by Colin Trevorrow, it appears unlikely that he will helm the new project. However, in a 2022 interview, Trevorrow did share insights into potential franchise continuations, hinting at the studio’s ongoing plans for the beloved dinosaur series.

“The previous five films are plots about dinosaurs. This one is a story about characters in a world in which they coexist with dinosaurs,” said the filmmaker. “For the franchise to be able to move forward – because it’s inherently unfranchisable, there probably should have only been one Jurassic Park – but if we’re gonna do it, how can I allow them to tell stories in a world in which dinosaurs exist, as opposed to, here’s another reason why we’re going to an island?”

Colin Trevorrow