Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey have their first “Jurassic World” co-star. THR reports that Rupert Friend is the latest actor cast to star in Gareth Edward‘s upcoming installment. Friend also joins Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, the only other name on the call sheet, as the film inches closer to its mid-June production start.
Friend in a big-budget blockbuster? Maybe it was bound to happen. The British actor’s biggest career roles up to this point have been for Wes Anderson, in “The French Dispatch, “Asteroid City,” and “The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar And Three More.” But Friend, typically in supporting roles, has a career that stretches back two decades. Other recent roles include the Disney+ limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and the Apple TV+ series “High Desert.”
Meanwhile, Universal is moving fast on its new “Jurassic World” film, a soft reboot of the franchise centered around a brand-new set of characters. The blockbuster starts shooting next month before a rapid post-production, so the film hits July 2, 2025 theatrical release. Edwards directs a script from “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World” screenwriter David Koepp. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley returns to produce Edwards’ film through Kennedy-Marshall, with Steven Spielberg executive producing through Amblin Entertainment. Sara Scott also serves as executive vice president in production development, with Jacqueline Garell overring the film for Universal.
Friend may be poised for a career break out next year after adding Edwards’ “Jurassic World” movie to his upcoming films. The actor has a few other buzzy forthcoming roles, including Michel Franco‘s “Dreams” with Jessica Chastain, the New Line thriller “Companion,” and another thriller, “Canary Black.” If any or all of those films do well critically, Friend could see himself in more starring roles very soon.
Plot details for Edwards’ “Jurassic World” installment are still under wraps, so it’s unclear who Friend plays. But with his and Bailey’s casting opposite Johannson, it looks like Edwards wants to imbue his film with a different star power than the previous “Jurassic World” trilogy. It’s far too early to speculate on how this blockbuster will go, but Friend on the cast list in a promising sign.
Stay tuned for more casting news for the next “Jurassic World” movie as it approaches production.