Scarlett Johansson in Talks for New ‘Jurassic World’ Movie

New ‘Jurassic World’ Movie: Scarlett Johansson in Talks for Lead Role

Gareth Edwards is confirmed as directing the new movie, which Universal is aiming to have before cameras this year ready for a 2025 release.

Scarlett Johansson in Marvel Studios' 'Black Widow.'

Preview:

Scarlett Johansson is in talks for a new ‘Jurassic World’ movie.
Gareth Edwards is in the director’s chair.
Reports are circling that Jennifer Lawrence passed on the film.

As Universal moves quickly to put a new ‘Jurassic World’ movie into production, it appears that another big piece is falling into place. No, the T-Rex’s agent hasn’t yet responded to urgent calls from executives for her to lower her new contract price (7,000 goats or she walks); instead, there is confirmation that Scarlett Johansson is now in serious talks for a main role in the film.

Originally reported by Jeff Sneider earlier this month, the news is now confirmed by Puck, which also brings word that Jennifer Lawrence was also offered a role in the movie, but has passed on the idea of running away from giant reptilian creatures.

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

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

Rumors have been swirling that the film’s working title is ‘Jurassic City’, with hints of something along the line of ‘Escape from New York’. Again, though, none of that is confirmed: Universal is mostly keeping the details of the new movie trapped behind fences and concrete barriers for now. What can we predict? Big-toothed beasts causing trouble for the humans that foolishly interact with them.

A bigger question, though, is which humans… It’ll reportedly be set in the ‘Jurassic World’ era but won’t directly connect to the previous three ‘World’ movies. Which means no Chris Pratt and co.

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 Jeff Goldblum’s chaotician Ian Malcolm.

If Johansson does sign on, she’ll play a role that for now will be shrouded in mystery. Aside from the fact that at some point she’ll encounter dinosaurs. That, you can put money on.

Who is making the new ‘Jurassic World’ movie?

(L to R) Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie, Gemma Chan as Maya, and Director Gareth Edwards on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.' Photo by Glen Milner. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

David Koepp, who is slightly knowledgeable in the ‘Jurassic’ arena, having written both the 1993 classic ‘Jurassic Park’ (directed by Steven Spielberg) and its 1997 sequel, ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ (also directed by Spielberg, to less critical praise, but still healthy box office), is crafting the new movie’s screenplay.

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. And of course, Spielberg will weigh in since he helped birth the franchise.

Director Gareth Edwards seems like a good choice for the project –– he certainly knows his way around big franchise entries (though ‘Rogue One’ ultimately proved to be something he’d probably rather forget, even as it crossed a billion at the box office) and has worked smoothly with effects teams. Plus, he’s a thoughtful, creative director adept at finding the humanity in big concepts.