Gareth Edwards, the director of ‘Rogue One,’ is in talks to direct an all-new ‘Jurassic World‘ film for Universal, Variety reports. The revelation comes only days after the studio’s negotiations with David Leitch fell apart, according to the publications.
Steven Spielberg will produce the film through Amblin Entertainment. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley will produce, alongside David Leitch and Kelly McCormick via 87North. David Koepp, the original screenwriter for ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park,’ will pen the script.
The currently unannounced project, due to premiere on July 2, 2025, will kick off a new plotline in the dinosaur franchise that spans decades. It is uncertain whether previous stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neill, Laura Dern, or Jeff Goldblum will return.
Koepp’s prior screenwriting credits include ‘Mission: Impossible’, ‘Spider-Man’, ‘Death Becomes Her’, ‘Panic Room’, and ‘War of the Worlds’. He is represented by CAA and attorney David Fox of Myman Greenspan Fineman Fox Rosenberg and Light.
The six-film franchise, which began with Spielberg’s original ‘Jurassic Park’ in 1993, has grossed more than $6 billion worldwide. The most recent film, ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ in 2022, grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.
Gareth Edwards most recent directing credit, ‘The Creator’, depicts an ex-special forces agent (John David Washington) dispatched to destroy a weapon designed to swing the scales against mankind in a decades-long war, only to learn that the target is an AI disguised as a child. The film has received nominations for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects at this year’s Academy Awards. His other films include ‘Monsters’ (2010) and ‘Godzilla’ (2014). Edwards is represented by WME and Range Media Partners, Variety reports.