It looks like David Leitch‘s next film after “The Fall Guy” won’t be a new “Jurassic World” after all. Deadline reports that Universal is looking for new director for their franchise reboot after talks between the studio and Leitch fell through. The split was reportedly conflict-free, as Leitch and the studio had differing visions for where to take the franchise next.
So now the search continues for Universal, who thought they bagged a solid blockbuster director in Leitch. The next “Jurassic World” movie brings the series back to square one, with no former cast members returning. That’s right: no Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, and no legacy cameo roles for Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, and Laura Dern. It’s a total reboot, except for the fact that David Koepp, who penned “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” returns to write the script.
Universal isn’t shifting their July 2, 2025 theatrical release date for the film, so they’ll need to find a new director soon. Chances are they will do so soon, considering the franchise’s six titles have grossed more than $6 billion worldwide. Steven Spielberg serves as executive producer on the film through Amblin Entertainment, with Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley producing.
Leitch was a good choice for a new “Jurassic World”: a journeyman action director with a knack for big set pieces and an anonymous visual style. And there are plenty of other filmmakers in Hollywood who could do the same thing. But it’d be nice to see Universal take the next era of “Jurassic World” in a new, more esteemed direction than whatever “Jurassic World Dominion” was. With Koepp back, maybe the studio lends the franchise a little of its old prestige. Any idea on a director who could handle that?