Renowned filmmaker David Leitch is reportedly in discussions to helm the upcoming instalment of the Jurassic World franchise, as confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter (THR). Universal Pictures has announced plans to unleash the next dinosaur-packed adventure on July 2, 2025.
Last month, THR revealed that David Koepp, the mastermind behind Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park blockbuster in 1993 and its 1997 sequel Jurassic Park: The Lost World, is penning the script for the forthcoming sequel to 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion.
Notably, Spielberg himself is set to executive produce the new movie through his production company, Amblin Entertainment. Joining him are Jurassic Park veterans Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley, who will serve as producers alongside Leitch and Kelly McCormick of 87North. Overseeing the project from the studio side are Universal executive VP of production development Sara Scott and creative executive of production development Jacqueline Garell.
According to sources cited by THR, the upcoming film aims to usher in a “new Jurassic era,” hinting at a departure from the characters portrayed by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, who were central to Colin Trevorrow’s 2015 Jurassic World and its sequel, J.A. Bayona’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in 2015. Additionally, it appears unlikely that the iconic characters played by Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum from the original Jurassic Park saga will make a return in this fourth Jurassic World instalment, despite their appearance in Dominion.
Leitch, celebrated for his prowess in action filmmaking with hits like Bullet Train, Deadpool 2 and Atomic Blonde, has emerged as a go-to director for Universal. His previous collaboration with the studio includes directing Fast and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw. These negotiations come at a time when Universal gears up for the release of The Fall Guy, starring recent Oscar nominees Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, hitting theatres on May 3.
The Jurassic Park franchise, which kicked off in 1993 with Spielberg’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s best-selling novel, has evolved into a behemoth in the entertainment industry. With six features under its belt, the series, backed by Universal and Amblin, has collectively grossed over $6 billion (Rs 498.3 billion) worldwide.
David Leitch, whose directorial credits boast a diverse array of films including John Wick, Atomic Blonde, and Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw, is represented by CAA, Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole and 42West.
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