Scarlett <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/07/01/jurassic-world-rebirth-movie-review-dinos-still-rule-over-rickety-plot/” title=”Dinos Reign in 'Jurassic Rebirth' Despite Plot Flaws”>johansson‘s Wild Ride on the ‘Jurassic world Rebirth’ Set
Stepping into the world of dinosaurs has been a dream come true for Scarlett Johansson, marking an exciting new chapter in her career with “Jurassic World Rebirth.” The acclaimed actor, known for her diverse roles, recently opened up about finally joining the iconic franchise she’s admired since childhood. However, her journey into this prehistoric universe wasn’t without its unique set of challenges, trading traditional studio comforts for the unpredictable perils of real-world jungle environments. Filming the latest installment proved to be a test of endurance, pushing the cast and crew to their limits against the backdrop of stunning, yet demanding, natural landscapes.
Long before she was battling alien threats in the MCU, Scarlett Johansson was just a captivated 10-year-old in a movie theater, utterly transfixed by the awe and terror of the original “Jurassic Park.” That early experience ignited a lifelong ambition. “It was a childhood dream of mine to be in this movie,” Johansson shared in a recent interview. She admitted to pursuing the possibility for three decades, half-joking that persistence, specifically “harass[ing]” producer Frank Marshall, eventually paid off in landing the coveted role.
Becoming Zora Bennett: Mission on a Forbidden Isle
In “Jurassic World Rebirth,” Johansson takes on the role of Zora Bennett, a formidable mercenary. Her character leads a specialized team on a high-stakes, clandestine mission. Their objective? To retrieve crucial dinosaur DNA from a remote, forbidden island shrouded in mystery. As expected in the “Jurassic” universe, this island is far from deserted, teeming with prehistoric inhabitants that make the mission exceptionally perilous. The film, directed by Gareth Edwards, is structured as an action-packed adventure clocking in at just over two hours. Johansson is joined by a talented ensemble cast including Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Mahershala Ali, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ed Skrein, David Iacono, and Luna Blaise, portraying a diverse group thrust into a fight for survival.
Screenwriter David Koepp, who penned the original “Jurassic Park,” returns for “Rebirth,” aiming to capture the spirit of the 1993 classic. The filmmakers expressed a desire to pivot away from the “dinosaurs in our environment” theme of the “Jurassic World” trilogy. Instead, they sought to immerse audiences in the primal feeling of being in their world. This intended shift back to the roots of the franchise, focusing on wonder blended with intense “thrill and fear,” was a key goal, according to Johansson and co-star Jonathan Bailey. Johansson hinted the film delivers “a lot of good jump-scares, and the stakes are high.”
Filming in the Heart of the Jungle
To achieve this authentic, immersive experience, production for “Jurassic World Rebirth” embraced real-world, exotic locations. Filming took place in diverse settings, including the Mediterranean island of Malta and the dense rainforests of Thailand. This mirrored the approach of the original film, which famously shot in the lush landscapes of Hawaii to create Isla Nublar. For Johansson, being physically present in these environments significantly enhanced the realism. “The environment was authentic and so it felt that we were in the middle of the jungle because we were in the middle of the jungle,” she explained.
However, the decision to film in remote, natural habitats presented unforeseen difficulties that went far beyond dealing with CGI dinosaurs. The reality of working in the jungle meant sharing the set with its less predictable, real-life occupants. These “critters,” as Johansson lightheartedly referred to them, added an unexpected layer of challenge and anxiety to the demanding production schedule.
Navigating Set Perils: Scorpions, Monsoons, and More
Life on the “Jurassic World Rebirth” set in Thailand’s rainforests was a constant exercise in vigilance. Simple tasks could turn adventurous in an instant. Johansson recounted a startling moment: grabbing a coffee only to discover a scorpion had been found near the same spot just minutes earlier. She also mentioned the presence of a “venomous pit crew,” a stark reminder of the real dangers lurking in the environment. These encounters highlight the commitment to authenticity but also the significant logistical and safety hurdles involved in such a shoot.
Adding to the complexity, filming occurred during Thailand’s monsoon season. This brought its own set of challenges, described by Johansson as “not as ideal” as drier conditions. She humorously recalled the intense heat and humidity causing co-star Mahershala Ali to “melt like a human candle,” illustrating the physically demanding conditions faced by the cast and crew.
Heights vs. Roaches: Facing Personal Fears
While the external environment presented numerous dangers, Johansson revealed that heights, even when filming scenes involving scaling structures, weren’t her biggest personal hurdle. Despite tackling a steep, albeit constructed, rock wall that was “pretty high up,” she felt secure thanks to the expert rigging crew and prior training. “The heights is not, like, my greatest phobia,” she stated.
Her true, deepest fear lies elsewhere. “My greatest phobia is cockroaches,” Johansson confessed. And to her dismay, the tropical rainforests proved to be a fertile ground for these unwelcome guests. She encountered “plenty of those, too,” although thankfully not on the climbing wall itself. This personal anecdote adds a relatable, human element to the often-larger-than-life tales of blockbuster filmmaking, showing that even action stars have their everyday anxieties. As a self-proclaimed “city girl” from New York, she admitted that, despite the majestic settings, there were days – “all of the days,” she joked – when she wished for the predictable environment of a traditional film set.
Critical Reception and the Hope for ‘Rebirth’
With “Jurassic World Rebirth” hitting theaters around the Fourth of July weekend, initial critical responses have started to emerge following the lifting of the review embargo. As of early reports, the film holds a mixed critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While some critics, like Tony Medley, praised the movie as a “joy” with “fine acting” and “magnificent” effects, highlighting its tension, others offered less enthusiastic takes. Nick Schager called it “underwhelming” and a “handsome clone,” while Joseph Tomastik felt it lacked the feel of a true “rebirth.” Tessa Smith criticized the narrative as a “slop of a story,” making it hard to connect with the characters, despite acknowledging “great-looking dinosaurs and some fun action sequences.”
Reviewer David Fear echoed some of these sentiments, describing the film as feeling “generic,” “by-the-numbers,” and “instantly forgettable,” elevated primarily by the franchise name. He noted the “Rebirth” title felt overly optimistic given the film’s perceived lack of originality, drawing a parallel to the film’s own meta-narrative about public fatigue with dinosaurs. However, he also acknowledged the strength of the cast, praising Johansson and Mahershala Ali for carrying the emotional weight and delivering convincing reactions to the dinosaur threats. Despite the mixed critical start, the film’s projected opening weekend box office of $115 million to $135 million over five days suggests strong audience anticipation, indicating that fan reception might differ from critical consensus. The aim to recapture the wonder and terror of the original, blended with action and practical locations, appears to be a strategy designed squarely for crowd-pleasing success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of challenges did Scarlett Johansson face while filming ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’?
Filming “Jurassic World Rebirth” in real jungle locations like Thailand presented numerous environmental challenges. Scarlett Johansson described encountering real-life “critters” such as scorpions near set areas and mentioned a “venomous pit crew” for safety. The production also contended with difficult weather conditions, including shooting during the monsoon season, which made the demanding work less than ideal due to heat and humidity.
Where was ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ filmed to create an authentic jungle feel?
To bring the prehistoric island setting of “Jurassic World Rebirth” to life with authenticity, production teams utilized exotic, real-world locations. Key filming sites included the Mediterranean island of Malta and the dense rainforests of Thailand. This approach aimed to replicate the immersive feeling of being deep within a natural, untamed environment, similar to how the original “Jurassic Park” used locations like Hawaii.
What do critics say about ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ compared to earlier films?
Initial critical reception for “Jurassic World Rebirth” has been mixed, with some reviewers praising its action, effects, and return to tension reminiscent of the original film. Others have found it “underwhelming,” “generic,” or suffering from a weak story despite strong visuals and performances. The film aims to feel like a “rebirth” by returning to the “dinosaurs in their environment” theme, but some critics felt it didn’t fully escape a “by-the-numbers” feel, leading to a divided critical consensus early on.
Conclusion
Scarlett Johansson’s journey into the “Jurassic” franchise with “Jurassic World Rebirth” fulfills a three-decade-long dream, bringing her face-to-face with both cinematic dinosaurs and real-world fears. Her experience highlights the demanding reality of shooting a major blockbuster in authentic, remote jungle environments, filled with challenges ranging from weather extremes to unexpected encounters with wildlife – particularly her most dreaded creature, the cockroach. While the film itself enters a crowded cinematic landscape with the added weight of mixed critical reception, its stated goal of returning to the wonder, thrill, and terror of the original “Jurassic Park,” powered by practical location filming and a dedicated cast, positions it as a significant attempt to reignite the franchise’s prehistoric magic for a new generation of fans.
