The summer movie season of 2025 is set to take us back to the prehistoric era with the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. As the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise and the inaugural film of a "new era" following the conclusion of the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard-led trilogy with Jurassic World Dominion, this new chapter is helmed by director Gareth Edwards. It features a fresh cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. Despite the impressive lineup, which also includes the return of original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the trailer suggests a narrative that feels like a regression for the series. The promised world of dinosaurs from Fallen Kingdom and teased in Dominion seems to be missing. Let's delve into what the trailer reveals and conceals, and explore why the Jurassic World series might be overlooking its most significant potential.

The Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reception from critics, yet it remains one of the most financially successful blockbuster franchises at the global box office over the past decade. The love for dinosaurs among audiences worldwide is undeniable, and even with the retirement of the original World trilogy's cast, Universal was quick to greenlight more dino-centric films. The appointment of Gareth Edwards, known for his work on 2014's Godzilla and Rogue One, adds a compelling element to the project. Edwards excels at capturing scale in VFX-heavy blockbusters, and his CGI expertise positions him well for mainstream films, setting him apart from many directors transitioning from indie or Sundance films to big-budget projects.

However, the trailer's failure to embrace the 'world of dinosaurs' concept teased since Fallen Kingdom looms large. The dinosaurs are visually stunning in motion, and Edwards' meticulous attention to detail in terms of proportions and lighting elevates the film's visual appeal far above many recent unsightly blockbusters. Remarkably, Edwards achieved this despite a tight schedule, having been hired in February 2024 and starting production by June. While the trailer doesn't provide enough time with the new cast to fully gauge their appeal, the action sequences are promising, and there's no shortage of dinosaur screen time—a feature not always guaranteed, as evidenced by the forgettable evil locusts in Jurassic World Dominion.

Yet, the absence of the promised 'world of dinosaurs' concept from Fallen Kingdom's ending casts a shadow over the trailer, much like an erupting volcano.

It's a familiar tale: another island teeming with dinosaurs. Jurassic World Rebirth introduces a new setting, purportedly "the research facility for the original Jurassic Park," which doesn't align well with the established canon. Returning to the franchise's traditional setting of a tropical island isolated from civilization feels like a step back, especially after the previous trilogy concluded with dinosaurs roaming the globe. 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."

Moreover, it conflicts with the established lore from previous films. Dominion depicted dinosaurs thriving in various global environments, from snowy regions to urban settings. If the world was so inhospitable to dinosaurs, why did they seem to adapt so well in the last movie? The Malta chase in Dominion, showcasing carnivores rampaging through a city, was one of the most inventive sequences in the film. Given the Jurassic franchise's consistent box office success, it's a missed opportunity not to explore new and different settings with this series.

The Jurassic franchise is a sure bet in Hollywood, so why not take a bold step and do something truly innovative with this series? It's possible that Jurassic World Rebirth has more surprises in store than what's shown in the first trailer. There were even rumors that the film's original title was Jurassic City, suggesting a different setting that the trailer might be concealing. Regardless, it's high time for the Jurassic franchise to move beyond the tropical island trope. While we're not advocating for a full-blown Planet of the Apes-style dinosaur world (though that could be intriguing), there must be a way to showcase dinosaurs in new and varied environments. We'll see how Jurassic World Rebirth unfolds, but we hope the franchise will finally embrace the value of exploring fresh territory rather than rehashing the old.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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