The summer movie season of 2025 is taking a thrilling turn back to the prehistoric era with the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. This marks the seventh installment in the iconic Jurassic Park franchise and heralds the dawn of a "new era" following the conclusion of the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard-led trilogy with Jurassic World Dominion. Directed by Gareth Edwards, renowned for his work on 2014’s Godzilla and Rogue One, this film introduces a fresh ensemble cast featuring Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. Despite the impressive lineup, including the return of original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the trailer suggests a narrative retreat that might not meet the high expectations set by previous entries. The promised world of dinosaurs from Fallen Kingdom and teased in Dominion seems to be missing, prompting questions about the direction of the series.
Let's delve into what the trailer reveals and what it leaves out, and explore why the Jurassic World series might be overlooking its most promising opportunity.
**Back to the Cretaceous** --------------------------The Jurassic World trilogy garnered a mixed reception from critics, yet it has remained one of the most financially successful blockbuster franchises globally over the past decade. Audiences worldwide have an insatiable appetite for dinosaurs, and Universal was quick to capitalize on this by assembling a new cast and crew for further adventures. Gareth Edwards, with his expertise in handling large-scale VFX in films like Godzilla and Rogue One, brings a unique perspective to the franchise. His ability to capture the grandeur and detail of CGI creatures sets high expectations for Jurassic World Rebirth.
The trailer showcases stunning dinosaur animations, a testament to Edwards' skill in visual storytelling. Despite the rapid production timeline—from being hired in February 2024 to starting filming by June—the visual quality is remarkable. However, the brief glimpses of the new characters leave us wanting more to truly gauge their appeal. While the action sequences promise plenty of dinosaur action, a staple that isn't as guaranteed as fans might hope, the absence of the expansive dinosaur world teased in previous films looms large. The infamous evil locusts from Jurassic World Dominion barely made a mark, a reminder of the franchise's potential pitfalls.
Despite these promising elements, the trailer's failure to embrace the "world of dinosaurs" concept teased since Fallen Kingdom is a glaring omission, overshadowing the excitement for Rebirth.
AnswerSee Results**An Island? Again?!** ----------------------The setting of Jurassic World Rebirth on yet another island, purportedly the research facility for the original Jurassic Park, feels like a step back into familiar territory. This choice contradicts the established narrative where dinosaurs roamed freely across the globe post-Fallen Kingdom. 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 narrative shift feels like an unnecessary course correction. The previous trilogy invested heavily in setting up a global Jurassic World, yet Rebirth seems to abandon this best new idea in favor of returning to the franchise's traditional island setting. This move is perplexing, especially when Dominion already scaled back the global dinosaur presence to a contained preserve in the Italian Alps. The decision to revert to an island setting for Rebirth, when the franchise had the chance to explore new dimensions, raises questions about the creative direction.
Moreover, the lore established in Dominion, with dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments from snowy landscapes to urban settings, clashes with the notion that the world is inhospitable to them. The Malta chase in Dominion, showcasing dinosaurs navigating a city, was a highlight that suggested the potential for more innovative settings. Given the Jurassic franchise's proven track record and audience appeal, it's a missed opportunity not to venture into uncharted territory.
While it's possible that Jurassic World Rebirth has more to offer than what's shown in the trailer, the rumored original title, Jurassic City, hints at unexplored urban settings. It's high time for the franchise to break away from the tropical island motif and explore new environments for dinosaurs. Whether or not Rebirth will ultimately embrace this evolution remains to be seen, but the hope is that the series will finally venture into fresh territory rather than rehashing old themes.
Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills
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