Universal is down a director for its next “Jurassic World” installment after negotiations with David Leitch went the way of the dinosaur. The parting is said to be amicable.
However, the breakdown in talks leaves the studio in search of a new filmmaker to take over one of its most popular franchises. A new movie in the “Jurassic World” series is currently in development at the studio, with David Koepp — who adapted the 1993 original “Jurassic Park” and its 1997 sequel “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” from Michael Crichton’s bestselling novels — set to write the screenplay. The project is expected to launch a fresh storyline (though something tells us hungry dinosaurs will still treat humanity like a charcuterie board in this one). It’s unclear if previous stars like Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum will be back trying to stay one step ahead of a Tyrannosaurus Rex’s jaws.
“Jurassic Park” producer Frank Marshall is coming back, along with his regular producing partner Patrick Crowley. Steven Spielberg is executive producing through his company Amblin Entertainment.
Leitch has worked with Universal on “Atomic Blonde,” “Fast & Furious” spinoff “Hobbes & Shaw,” and this year’s Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling action comedy “The Fall Guy,” which opens on May 3. His other credits include “Deadpool 2,” “Bullet Train” and “John Wick.”
Over the course of six films, the “Jurassic Park” franchise has earned more than $6 billion worldwide. The currently untitled next installment is slated to release on July 2, 2025.
Deadline first reported that Leitch won’t be directing the next “Jurassic World.”