David Koepp Writing New ‘Jurassic World’ Movie

Koepp and veteran ‘Jurassic’ producer Frank Marshall are the only people officially involved for now, but the project is reportedly stomping along quickly.

Chris Pratt in 2015's 'Jurassic World.' Photo: Universal Pictures.

Preview:

Universal has a new ‘Jurassic World’ movie in the works.
‘Jurassic Park’ writer David Koepp is on script duty.
It’ll reportedly launch a new franchise based in the ‘Jurassic’ world.

Despite bringing dino-action back to our screens with three giant ‘Jurassic World’ movies in 2015, 2018 and 2022, Universal is apparently ready for more. And given the solid box office for pretty much anything with ‘Jurassic’ in its title for the studio, this is perhaps not as shocking as it might seem.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a new movie set in the ‘Jurassic World’ sphere is in the works, with someone who has plenty of experience wrangling terrible lizards (at least on the page) involved: veteran screenwriter David Koepp.

Jurassic World

"The park is open."

PG-132 hr 4 minJun 9th, 2015

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What’s the story of the new ‘Jurassic World’ movie?

2015's 'Jurassic World.' Photo: Universal Pictures.

That is one thing that the Reporter’s sources couldn’t pinpoint –– while it will certainly feature plenty of giant reptiles roaring around (and a host of others), the exact story details are trapped in amber for now.

It’ll reportedly be set in the ‘Jurassic World’ era, but won’t directly connect to the previous three movies, so an appearance from characters such as those films’ Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) or Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howards) appears unlikely for now –– though we won’t rule anything out at this point.

From the sounds of it, this new movie would take the franchise in a fresh new direction, so we’re also not predicting (for now) the return of ‘Jurassic Park’ trio Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum).

Who is making the new ‘Jurassic World’ movie?

Pitbull, Jimmy Buffet, director Frank Marshall, and director Ryan Suffern from the documentary 'Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.'

(L to R) Director Frank Marshall, Jimmy Buffet, Pitbull and director Ryan Suffern from the documentary 'Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.' Courtesy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

So far, the project is at scripting stage, with Koepp hard at work. He’s someone who has no small experience with these stories, since he wrote both 1993 classic ‘Jurassic Park’ (the movie directed by Steven Spielberg that re-ignited moviegoers’ passion for dinos in the first place) and its 1997 sequel, ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ (also directed by Spielberg).

Koepp, of course, has worked a lot with Spielberg, but is also a much sought-after writer beyond those collaborations (he has two movies on the way via Steven Soderbergh) and is a filmmaker in his own right. Would he want to step up and direct a new ‘Jurassic World’? We’d have to say it’s unlikely given his usual smaller-scale directing gigs.

Longtime producer Frank Marshall, who worked on all three of the ‘Jurassic World’ movies is on board this one also, and the studio seems bullish about the progress so far.

When will the new movie be in theaters?

While it would seem shockingly fast given the usual scope, scale and effects load of a movie such as this, the Reporter’s story mentions that things are far enough along for a potential –– heavy emphasis on “potential” –– 2025 release date.