Johansson: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ is Spielberg Love Letter

Scarlett Johansson and Director Gareth Edwards Hail ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ as a Tribute to Steven Spielberg

At the star-studded world premiere in London, the team behind Jurassic World: Rebirth offered exciting insights into the highly anticipated film, emphasizing its deep connection to the original Jurassic Park. Lead actress Scarlett Johansson and director Gareth Edwards both described the movie as a heartfelt “love letter” to the legendary director Steven Spielberg, who launched the dinosaur franchise over 30 years ago and serves as an Executive Producer on Rebirth.

Speaking from the “very green carpet,” Johansson stated that Rebirth aims to take the series “back to its roots.” She highlighted the involvement of David Koepp, the screenwriter for the original Jurassic Park, and noted Edwards’ significant admiration for Spielberg. This foundation, she explained, means “Fans of the Jurassic universe can expect to really feel the DNA of the original ‘Jurassic Park’ in this film.” Edwards echoed this sentiment, calling the script itself a “love letter to Spielberg.”

Returning to Isla Sorna: How ‘Rebirth’ Honors the Past

The commitment to honoring the original goes beyond sentiment. Director Gareth Edwards made the creative decision to shoot the entire film on actual film stock, aiming to capture a “naturalistic, cinematic quality” reminiscent of the original era. The film is also described as blending tones, promising a mix of “humor and fun” alongside “very scary, very intense moments,” mirroring the balance Spielberg struck.

Adding another layer of connection, Jurassic World: Rebirth will feature a sequence directly from Michael Crichton’s original Jurassic Park novel that was never before adapted for the screen: a thrilling T. rex chase involving characters navigating down a river. This specific inclusion was reportedly discussed and agreed upon by Spielberg and screenwriter David Koepp early in the film’s development, underscoring a direct link to the source material and Spielberg’s initial vision.

The Story Unfolds: A Post-Dominion World Expedition

Set five years after the events of Jurassic World: Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs, with scattered survivors mainly residing in isolated equatorial regions. The plot centers on a risky expedition returning to the original island site of InGen’s research lab, potentially Isla Sorna from The Lost World and Jurassic Park III.

Funded by a major pharmaceutical company, the mission’s goal is to collect DNA samples from colossal, potentially mutated dinosaurs in these remote areas. This genetic material is believed to hold the key to developing a life-saving drug or “miracle panacea.” Scarlett Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, leading the mission alongside Duncan Kincaid, played by Mahershala Ali, who describes the film as an “action-adventure story” that will also introduce “some new types of dinosaurs.”

Premiere Highlights & Cast Connections

The London premiere drew a host of talent, including stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Ed Skrein, along with director Gareth Edwards, writer David Koepp, producer Frank Marshall, composer Alexandre Desplat, and Universal executives Donna Langley and Peter Cramer. Adding a touch of prehistoric charm, a tiny animatronic dinosaur featured in the film, affectionately named Delores, posed for photos.

Actor Jonathan Bailey shared a personal connection to the franchise, revealing that the original Jurassic Park was the first film he ever saw with his family at age five. Being part of Rebirth was “beyond a dream” for him. Bailey also contributed to the film’s soundtrack, recounting the “incredible” experience of recording at Abbey Road with a 105-piece orchestra, playing both John Williams’ iconic score and Alexandre Desplat’s new compositions. A skilled clarinetist, he even got to join in with his “slightly wonky technique.”

Director Gareth Edwards shared a humorous anecdote about how he landed the directing job, which began with a text message from his girlfriend about Universal searching for a Jurassic director. He impulsively forwarded it to his agent asking, “Is this stupid?” At the premiere, he also provided a moment of levity when he nearly forgot to thank the Universal executives, humorously claiming he “nearly ended my career!”

With its clear intention to honor the legacy of the original Jurassic Park while presenting a fresh, action-packed story set in a drastically changed world, Jurassic World: Rebirth is set to roar into theaters on July 2nd.