The Dinosaurs Aren't Done Yet: Jurassic World Rebirth Sequel Gathers Its Core Team

Universal Pictures is reportedly gearing up for another adventure in the Jurassic World saga, with director Gareth Edwards and key stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey expected to return for the Rebirth sequel.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways from the Jurassic World Rebirth Sequel News

• Director Gareth Edwards is in "final negotiations" to return for the next Jurassic World Rebirth film.
• Stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey are all expected to reprise their roles.
• Jurassic World Rebirth was a huge commercial success, grossing around $868.6 million worldwide, making a sequel almost inevitable despite mixed critical reviews.

Think the Jurassic era was over? Not by a long shot. Just when you thought humanity might finally learn its lesson about bringing back ancient apex predators, the box office numbers have roared louder than any T-Rex. Following the undeniable commercial success of this year's Jurassic World Rebirth, Universal Pictures is reportedly putting the wheels in motion for a sequel, aiming to reunite the very team that brought the last dino-sized spectacle to life.

Initial whispers about a follow-up began circulating in early September, and now, industry insiders like The InSneider are confirming that the studio is keen on getting the "whole Jurassic World Rebirth team" back together. While an official greenlight from Universal is still pending, the signs are all pointing to another trip to a dinosaur-infested island – or perhaps a world where they roam even more freely.

Gareth Edwards Expected to Return as Director, This Time from Scratch

The big news lighting up the rumor mill is that director Gareth Edwards, who helmed Rebirth, is reportedly in "final negotiations" to return to the director's chair. This is a significant development, especially considering Edwards’s previous comments about his approach to Rebirth.

Back when Rebirth was released, Edwards was quite vocal about treating it as a standalone film, not immediately setting up future installments. He noted, "When I look back on sequels, trilogies that I love, what they all have in common is that the first movie was on its own, and then it became a high-class problem of how do we now make the others?" (Source: CBR, "Jurassic World Rebirth Was a Massive Commercial Success", undated). He also stated he hadn't discussed a sequel with anyone at Universal. This time, however, the report suggests Edwards will have the opportunity to develop the sequel "from scratch," a contrast to Rebirth, where he stepped in after original director David Leitch departed due to creative differences. Edwards's previous experience with big franchises, including 2014's Godzilla and 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, definitely makes him a seasoned hand for creature features and large-scale storytelling.

"I've genuinely never talked about it with anybody. Not a single conversation with David Koepp or Frank Marshall or Universal about a sequel... All they want is for people to really like this movie and make the best film we can, and that's it. And then it's in the lap of the gods, everything else, really."

— Gareth Edwards, Director of Jurassic World Rebirth (Source: CBR, undated)

A Star-Studded Cast Roaring Back for More Dino Action

For fans who connected with the new faces in Rebirth, there's even more good news. The reports indicate that the film's lead stars are all expected to reprise their roles. This means we'll likely see Scarlett Johansson return as the skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, Mahershala Ali as Duncan Kincaid, and Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Henry Loomis.

It's an impressive ensemble to reassemble. Mahershala Ali's character, for example, was originally slated to die at the end of Rebirth, but filmmakers consciously chose to keep him alive for a potential sequel – a decision that now seems to be paying off. Jonathan Bailey, fresh off being named People's Sexiest Man Alive, is also expected back, despite earlier indications he might take an acting break. Scarlett Johansson, a Marvel alum, brought significant star power to her role, and her return helps solidify the new direction of the Jurassic World narrative.

Analyzing the Box Office Powerhouse and Mixed Critical Reception

Why is Universal so eager to bring everyone back? The answer, as often in Hollywood, lies in the numbers. Jurassic World Rebirth was undeniably a massive commercial success. The film pulled in approximately $868.6 million worldwide against a generous $225 million budget, quickly approaching the $900 million mark. (Source: CBR, "Jurassic World Rebirth Was a Massive Commercial Success", undated; SFFGazette.com, "Jurassic World: Gareth Edwards Now In Talks...", Nov 7, 2025). This performance secured its spot as the third-highest-grossing Hollywood film and the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2025 worldwide, trailing only major hits like Lilo & Stitch, A Minecraft Movie, and Ne Zha 2. This is a strong showing, especially compared to some other blockbuster genres that have seen declining theatrical interest.

However, the film's financial triumph isn't the whole story. While audiences gave Rebirth a respectable 70% score, critics were less enthusiastic. The movie holds a "rotten" 50% rating from critics out of over 400 reviews. (Source: CBR, "Jurassic World Rebirth Was a Massive Commercial Success", undated). Reviewers often cited a "formulaic plot and thin character development" and some described the script as "clumsy" or the visuals as "over the top," suggesting a struggle to recapture the magic of the original 1993 Jurassic Park classic. This discrepancy between audience and critic reception is a common challenge for long-running franchises.

The Peril and Promise of Dino Sequels: Addressing Counterpoints

The Jurassic Park franchise has been around for over three decades, grossing billions, but also facing its share of creative hurdles. The original 1993 film, based on Michael Crichton's novel, is often lauded as a masterpiece, while many of its sequels have struggled to reach the same heights of wonder and tension. This raises valid questions about whether Universal, as the famous line goes, is so preoccupied with whether they can that they don't stop to think if they should.

A key counterpoint to the excitement is the potential for "franchise fatigue." While Rebirth was a success, it didn't quite hit the billion-dollar milestone achieved by its predecessor, 2022's Jurassic World Dominion. This slight dip, coupled with the mixed critical reception, suggests that relying purely on spectacle without robust storytelling could eventually impact future box office returns. Edwards's previous inclination to make Rebirth a standalone also highlights the internal tension between commercial viability and creative integrity.

For example, imagine a fan named Alex. Alex loved the first Jurassic Park but felt the Jurassic World films were a mixed bag. When Rebirth came out, Alex went to the cinema, enjoyed the dinosaur action, but walked out feeling it was a bit forgettable. Hearing about a sequel with the same team, Alex might think, "Well, the cast is good, and Edwards can direct cool visuals, but can they actually deliver a fresh story this time? I'm hopeful, but I'll wait for the trailer before getting too excited." This captures the cautious optimism many viewers might feel.

Looking Ahead: What's Next for the Prehistoric Saga?

So, what can we expect from this newly greenlit sequel? Plot details remain tightly under wraps, and there's no official word yet on who will pen the script, although David Koepp, who wrote Rebirth and the first two Jurassic Park films, is a possibility. Jurassic World Rebirth ended with Scarlett Johansson's character, Zora Bennett, leading a team to retrieve dinosaur DNA for a drug that promised "miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind." This mission, naturally, went off the rails, leading to a "sinister, shocking discovery." The previous film, Jurassic World Dominion, left dinosaurs roaming freely, setting the stage for humans to coexist with them.

Producer Frank Marshall previously teased that Rebirth "left the door quite open" for a follow-up, and with Edwards now at the helm from the very beginning, there's potential for a more cohesive vision. The film is reportedly being "fast-tracked," with a tentative release date eyed for either 2027 or 2028. This rapid turnaround suggests Universal is keen to capitalize on the recent film's momentum. Steven Spielberg is also confirmed to return as an executive producer, maintaining his long-standing connection to the franchise.

Practical Takeaways for Aspiring Dinosaur Enthusiasts

• Keep an eye on official announcements: While insider reports are strong, Universal's formal confirmation of the sequel, its title, and a release date will be the next big milestones.
• Expect familiar faces and a new creative start: The return of director Gareth Edwards and the core cast bodes well for continuity, but Edwards developing the story from scratch could bring fresh ideas.
• Hope for creative evolution: Given the mixed critical reception of Rebirth, the challenge for the sequel will be to balance thrilling dinosaur action with a compelling, well-developed narrative that resonates beyond just spectacle.
• Revisit Rebirth if you missed it: To catch up on the latest chapter before the sequel arrives, remember that Jurassic World Rebirth is currently available to stream on Peacock.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Jurassic World Rebirth Sequel

When is the Jurassic World Rebirth Sequel expected to be released? There is no official release date yet, but insiders suggest Universal is fast-tracking the film for either 2027 or 2028.

Who is confirmed to direct the new Jurassic World movie? Gareth Edwards, who directed Jurassic World Rebirth, is reportedly in final negotiations to return as director for the sequel.

Which cast members are returning for the sequel? Scarlett Johansson (Zora Bennett), Mahershala Ali (Duncan Kincaid), and Jonathan Bailey (Dr. Henry Loomis) are all expected to reprise their roles.

Where can I stream Jurassic World Rebirth right now? Jurassic World Rebirth is currently available to stream on Peacock.

Sources:

• CBR, "Jurassic World Rebirth Was a Massive Commercial Success", undated.
• Collider, "What's the 'Jurassic Park' Franchise About?", undated.
• CinemaBlend, "Why A Jurassic Sequel Makes Sense", undated.
• Dark Horizons, "Universal Getting 'Rebirth' Team Back Together", November 8, 2025.
• io9, "Report: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Is Getting a Sequel and the Gang Is All Back", November 6, 2025.
• JoBlo, "Jurassic World Rebirth: Gareth Edwards in talks to return for sequel", November 7, 2025.
• SFFGazette.com, "Jurassic World: Gareth Edwards Now In Talks To Direct Rebirth Sequel; Scarlett Johansson Expected To Return", November 7, 2025.
• SciFiNow, "Jurassic World 5 Director & Returning Cast Should Please Rebirth Fans", November 6, 2025.