Universal Pictures' upcoming Jurassic World movie is looking to add some major star-power, but if this Academy Award-winner signs on, it will leave a huge question mark over a long in-development Marvel Studios reboot.
THR (via ComicBookMovie.com) reports that Marhershala Ali (Leave the World Behind, Green Book) is negotiating to star in the fourth Jurassic World film alongside lead Scarlett Johansson. Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo are also on board in supporting roles, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Godzilla director Gareth Edwards is set to helm.
Production is said to be gearing up for mid-June in London... which is also around the time Blade is (or was) expected to begin filming.
The trade report doesn't mention Blade, but it seems highly unlikely that Ali would be lining up this JW role if he was still planning to play the Daywalker - unless the MCU project has been hit with yet another delay that has yet to be announced.
Last we heard, a new writer was being sought to give the script another major overhaul, although Marvel was said to have finally nailed down the overall story.
It's worth noting that Ali's last update during an interview with EW was a positive one.
“We’re working on it. That’s the best I could tell you. I’m really encouraged with the direction of the project. I think we’ll be back at it relatively soon.”
“I’m sincerely encouraged in terms of where things are at and who’s on board and who’s leading the way as far as the writing of the script and the directing and all that,” he added. “So that’s the extent of what I can tell you.”
As for this new Jurassic World flick, plot details are still under wraps, but the movie will reportedly launch a “new Jurassic era” with an all-new storyline, which would seem to indicate that Jurassic World stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, along with the original JW crew played by Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, will not be returning.
Frank Marshall, the veteran producer who oversaw the Jurassic World trilogy, is back on board, as is another Jurassic vet, Patrick Crowley. Spielberg will executive produce via his Amblin Entertainment banner.
David Leitch was in talks to direct in early February, before parting ways with the film just a few days later. Apparently, "it became clear to Leitch that his creative input would be minimal due to the project’s fast-tracked status and how the producers wanted to wield a stronger hand after the experiences of Jurassic World: Dominion."