Earlier this month, it was confirmed thatproduction startsthis coming February in London onJurassic World 2, Universal’s highly-anticipated follow-up to the 2015 blockbusterJurassic World. WhileJurassic WorlddirectorColin Trevorrowisn’t returning to the helm, he is producing and writing the screenplay with his writing partnerDerek Connolly. While there have been plenty of story rumors swirling as of late, new directorJuan Antonio Bayonarevealed some new details about this upcoming sequel.
Juan Antonio Bayonahas a similar career trajectory toColin Trevorrow, who went from directing the indieSafety Not Guaranteedto makingJurassic Worldin the span of three years.Juan Antonio Bayonamade his feature directing debut with the beloved 2007 indie horror-thrillerThe Orphanage, which he followed up with the harrowing 2012 dramaThe Impossible, starringNaomi Watts,Ewan McGregorandTom Holland, and the critically-acclaimedA Monster Calls, which opened in limited release this past weekend before expanding in the new year.The Playlistcaught up withJuan Antonio Bayona, who revealed why he wanted to take on a sequel to Jurassic World.
“After doingThe ImpossibleandA Monster CallsI said, ‘I want to have fun now. So, let’s do a dinosaur film withSpielberg.’ It’s great, but at the same time it’s massive and way bigger than [the last] one.”
Juan Antonio Bayonahas confirmed thatJurassic World 2is the second installment of a new trilogy, withSteven SpielbergandColin Trevorrowmapping out the entire three-part story. While we haven’t gotten any official plot details yet, there has been talk that the story will feature weaponized dinosaurs with the plot moving off of Isla Nublar. While it remains to be seen when the first plot details will be released,Juan Antonio Bayonadiscusses the importance of finding a balance between aspects of the earlier movies fans loved, and creating new material.
“I think what is tricky about doing the fifth movie of a franchise is how will you bring in new stuff and still pay tribute to what we all know and the legacy of the film. So, it’s the balance between the new stuff and the old stuff. I thinkColindid a great job in the first one finding the balance between what people are expecting and what people are being again. I was kind of surprised when he pitched me the story because it leads the story to a place that we’ve never seen before and it brings some of the most important elements from the other films and makes something with them. I thought that was very interesting. It’s the second chapter of a trilogy so it gets the story to a place that wants you leaving more and more.”
Jurassic WorldstarsChris Pratt,Bryce Dallas HowardandBD Wonghave already been confirmed to return for the sequel, along with a few new cast members as well.Toby Jones,Rafe SpallandJustice Smithhave joined the cast recently, although nothing has been confirmed about their characters. Back in October, a casting call surfaced that revealed details about a new central character named Lucy. The studio is looking for young girls who are at least 9 years old, but no older than 10 years old. The actress who wins the role must be a “sensitive and clever actress capable of handling long and complex scenes,” capable of handling “a range of emotions from tender moments with her father, to anxiety, bravery, and shock.” Hopefully we’ll hear more about Lucy, and the rest of the new characters inJurassic World 2before filming starts in February.
