Following the news that Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Godzilla director Gareth Edwards will helm Universal Pictures' Jurassic World 4, we now have word that the studio has its sights set on a major A-list star to lead the project.
Jeff Sneider recently reported that Scarlett Johansson was being eyed to star in the next Jurassic World film, and THR has now confirmed that the former Black Widow is officially in talks. The trade also confirms that Universal is "moving quickly" to get the movie into production, and has set a tentative July 2, 2025 release date.
There are no details on the character Johansson would play, or the movie's title (Jurassic City was recently rumored).
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."
This would seem to suggest that Edwards signed on fully aware that he won't have much say in the direction of the story.
Dominion director Colin Trevorrow will not be involved, but he did share his ideas for a potential follow-up last year.
"The previous five films are plots about dinosaurs. This one is a story about characters in a world in which they coexist with dinosaurs," said the filmmaker. "For the franchise to be able to move forward – because it’s inherently unfranchisable, there probably should have only been one Jurassic Park – but if we’re gonna do it, how can I allow them to tell stories in a world in which dinosaurs exist, as opposed to, here’s another reason why we’re going to an island?"
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"Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, dinosaurs now live and hunt alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history's most fearsome creatures."