After a lengthy closure, Jurassic Park: The Ride at Universal Studios Japan is set to reopen in 2025, and a lot sooner than you think!
Back in July of 2023, it was reported that Universal Studios in Japan would be closing Jurassic Park: The Ride for a lengthy refurbishment. While outlets said that the ride would reopen at some point in 2025, no official date was ever given. Since the closure, the official Universal Studios Japan website has had the ride listed as being closed ‘indefinitely.’ Since the official closure in September of 2023, very little news or information has been given on the status of the refurbishment, with any updates solely coming from theme park vlogging videos. For months there have been no real or official updates of any kind.
Previously, the only other Jurassic ride to undergo such a lengthy closure was the original Jurassic Park: The Ride in Universal Hollywood. which closed in 2018 and was to be replaced with Jurassic World: The Ride in 2019. The replacement was met with a mixed to favorable response, with many happy that new animatronics and effects were added to a ride that needed a good amount of updates and fixes, but that certain elements felt incomplete or cut and a bit of the original magic and storytelling was absent.
While some speculated that perhaps Japan would be going through the IP change, it had never been stated that the ride would be changing so dramatically. Moreover, in the last year, there has been no change at all to any of the signage or theming in the area of the park. So it seems like Japan has kept with the more iconic and recognizable JurassicPark branding. So perhaps the ride will stay mostly the same, with all the major animatronics being replaced with more updated technology and effects?
Well, guests to Universal Japan will finally be able to ride the ever-flowing river once again as Jurassic Park: The Ride prepares to open its gates again, on January 8th of 2025!! The reopening marks the end of a sixteen-month-long refurbishment (six months longer than the Park to World flip in Universal Hollywood.)
The official Universal Japan X account announced the reopening in a post, stating:
‘Jurassic Park – The Ride, which has been closed for renovations since September 2023, will reopen on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation. Please look forward to the reopening.’
Accompanying the announcement was a short teaser video:
To many the teaser may be a tad… underwhelming. After such a long time of being closed, all we are essentially seeing is stock footage of the ride pre-refurbishment. When Jurassic World: The Ride was preparing to open after only ten months there was a special teaser released to build excitement for the opening, and something along those lines would have been a tad more exciting to see.
But all this just begs the question… what will the ride look like once it opens in two weeks; what exactly are we in store for? Universal Japan has played the entire refurbishment very close to their chest, and it seems like if they have made any major updates to the dinosaurs, ride system, or other effects they plan on keeping it a secret until the ride is reopened to the public on the 8th.
We very much are looking forward to the reopening of this legendary attraction. It marks the start of what is sure to be a massive dino-sized year to come for Jurassic fans! Moreover, the fact that Japan has chosen to retain the iconic Jurassic Park branding instead of changing it to Jurassic World is noteworthy, and hopefully, if the ride is a success in popularity and excitement to Universal guests upon its reopening it means that all Jurassic rides and attractions aren’t necessarily resorted to the fate of being changed to the Jurassic World model.
Are you excited about the reopening of Jurassic Park: The Ride in Japan? Would you like to see more Universal parks refurbishing their Jurassic rides and areas, and if so- what kind of attractions would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below!
Conceptual rendering of the main entry for Jurassic World: The Experience -Courtesy of AWC
This week, NEON (the production group responsible for the popular Jurassic World: The Exhibition) along with Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC) and Universal Live Events & Location Based Entertainment, announced that Jurassic World: The Experience will soon be coming to Bangkok, Thailand!
The new walk-through attraction has been ‘specifically curated’ for Asiatique, a riverfront destination location famous for its culture, entertainment, shopping, and restaurants. It will be housed in a 6,000 square meter (64,583 square feet) location, and feature life-like animatronic dinosaurs and environments that will put guests in the middle of their own adventure on Isla Nublar. To create this fully immersive experience, the attraction is also said to blend ‘real-world science and education with the very best in high-quality entertainment.’ Along with the attraction will be an all-new themed restaurant as well, which is intended to ‘seamlessly blend the immersive journey with culinary delights’ for visitors of the destination.
(From left to right) The press conference of Jurassic World: The Experience, in Bangkok, held at Asiatique The Riverfront Destination led by Mr. Michael Hariz, Chief Commercial Business Officer, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited, Dr. Paitoon Wongsasutthikul, Chief Investment Officer, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited, Mrs. Wallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited, Mr. Chadchart Sitthiphan, Bangkok Governor, Mr. Nithee Seeprae, Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mr. Gerald Raines, SVP, Live Events and Location Based Entertainment Universal Destinations and Experiences, Mr. Ron Tan, Executive Chairman & Group CEO, NEON, and Mr. Kurt Baker, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, NEON.
A new immersive edutainment experience will surely thrill countless visitors, as similar productions, exhibits, and destinations have throughout the history of the Jurassic franchise. Such experiences have been hits with the public, dating back to The Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park exhibit, to the Jurassic Park Institute Tour, and NEON’s already widely popular Jurassic Park: The Exhibition (which opened in 2017, and has been touring on several continents since!)
While there is no specific information on what guests can expect to encounter, on NEON’s Instragram a juvenile Bumpy [puppet] with a handler was present at the press conference suggesting further that we’ll see a lot of favorite moments and dinosaurs from the franchise, as well as the utilization of some of the similar “DNA” as the Exhibition and theme parks to bring the dinosaurs to life for the attraction (assuming most of the animals will be brought to life by Creature Technology.)
That being said, Jurassic World The Experience will be big. Very big. To give you some perspective, Jurassic World: The Exhibition tends to range between 1858-2322 square meters (20,000-25,000 square feet,) so this new experience will be over twice as large! That could mean we are in store for multiple new show moments, exhibits, or dinosaurs. While the new café and restaurant should be taken into consideration, the release states that the total size of the expansion is set to be about 10,000 square meters (or 108,000 square feet (which makes this installation more comparable in size to Universal’s Horror Unleashed project, at around 10,219 square meters/110,00 square feet!) So if they are saying that the Experience alone is 6,000 square meters, insinuating that the rest is for the eateries… it means we are in store for something truly special.
Currently, Jurassic World: The Experience is expected to open in quarter 2 of 2025, which would mean they’re aiming for sometime roughly between April and June of 2025. You can join an information waitlist for Jurassic World: The Experience by visiting its official website, and you can read the full press release in its entirety, here.
Nearly one year after the film’s announcement, we are finally hearing from Jurassic World: Rebirth writer and Jurassic veteran David Koepp. He joined host Mike DeAngelo on The Discourse Podcast and had great things to say about his return to the dinosaur franchise he helped start.
David Koepp stopped by The Discourse recently to talk about his latest career developments, like working with Steven Soderbergh on “Presence.” But Koepp also teased his return to a major franchise he once helped make a classic: “Jurassic Park.” He writes Gareth Edwards‘ upcoming “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” his first film in the franchise since “The Lost World: Jurassic Park.” So what brought Koepp back to pen a new dinosaur actioner after 25 years?
In Koepp’s words , it was the chance to write a streamlined script in a familiar world. “That was a ball. I had such a nice time on it,” said about writing “Rebirth.” I hope people like the movie because the series tended to change after three, and it felt like, ‘Okay, so let’s change our tone.” Steven [Spielberg] and I were interested in a tone that was maybe more akin to the very first movie. I saw it early on as a mission movie. I like things that are driven by bottles, by containment, you know?”
“And so, developing a limited team and a thing that they have to accomplish – that was all really fun,” Koepp continued. “And it was just fun to return to that world of great adventure backed by real science and write some cool new characters. You don’t often get a chance to have a blank slate and say, ‘What do you want to do?’ There were no franchise expectations other than dinosaurs.”
Koepp even went so far as to create a list of rules the franchise needs to abide by moving forward, which was inspired by the most unlikely of sources. “I actually wrote a list of our nine commandments, which was inspired by Chuck Jones, who had written nine commandments for the Roadrunner cartoons – like all adventures must take place in the American Southwest, gravity is always the coyote’s worst enemy, all products must come from the Acme corporation,” Koepp said. “And so I made a list of things that we had to abide by – one was the events of the previous six movies that cannot be contradicted or denied because I don’t like a retcon. Those are no fun. Two, Humor is oxygen. Science must be real. You know, all the things that we wanted our movie to be. And I just had a great fun doing it with Steven and then with Gareth [Edwards].”
Reflecting on the experience, Koepp described the surreal nature of returning to a franchise 30 years later. “It was trippy to go back to a London soundstage 30 years after I walked onto a Los Angeles soundstage and see the jungle and the people in their jungle gear,” he said. “And it was just all back. It even smelled the same.” But the cast of “Rebirth” are all newcomers to “Jurassic Park” this time around. Edwards’ new film stars Scarlett Johannson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahersala Ali, and hits theaters on July 2, 2025.
And while the new “Jurassic Park” movie isn’t an official reunion between Koepp and Spielberg, Spielberg’s upcoming UFO blockbuster certainly is. Koepp also had enough time on the podcast to confirm that his upcoming collaboration withthe director is a sci-fi adventure reminiscent of Spielberg’s earlier works. “Yes, it is like a sci-fi… Well, I don’t know. I’m not supposed to say. But, yes, it is,” Koepp confirmed. “It does harken back to maybe a different tone than [what he’s done lately]. Something he used to do that he hasn’t done for a little bit.”
In other words, everything old is new again when it comes to Koepp’s recent scriptwriting. Spielberg’s next picture hits theaters on May 15, 2026. – Additional reporting by Mike DeAngelo.
David Koepp wrote Jurassic Park (1993) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), adapting from Michael Crichton’s novels, and he has been involved in small capacities for ideas, writing, and revisions on multiple films in the franchise since then. He is undoubtably one of the foremost voices on the Jurassic franchise story and certainly has a fantastic resumé within the series.
It is truly great to hear him talk about Jurassic in such detail again after all this time, and to hear about the ease and enjoyment in his return to collaboration with Steven Spielberg. His passion for the franchise is still clear, as he even introduced his own new “franchise commandments”! I can’t think of too many names who would be a better choice to create a set of Jurassic commandments.
1. The events of the previous 6 movies cannot be contradicted or denied
2. Humor is oxygen
3. Science must be real
Great adventure and real science. Very sound guidelines for a franchise like Jurassic. What are the other six? I love his words about returning to a Jurassic set after all this time, and being a part of developing a new story from a blank slate. What he had to say about the other trilogies is also generally on point:
“…the series tended to change after three, and it felt like, ‘Okay, so let’s change our tone.”
I can’t wait to see what “tone” Koepp has helped create for Rebirth, and how those Jurassic commandments play out. What would your commandments be?
You can read the full extent of Koepp’s Jurassic comments and listen to the full episode of The Discourse Podcasthere. He also spoke about the upcoming UFO event film he is writing for Steven Spielberg, set to release Summer 2026, plus his work and friendship with Steven Soderbergh and Kevin Bacon.
As the Wicked press tour and other promotional events continue, Jurassic World: Rebirthstars Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson have shared more details and personal feelings about their time filming this summer, their experiences with the Jurassic franchise, and the run-up to the seventh film next year.
Scarlett Johansson joined NBC’s TODAY for her “milestone birthday” recently to discuss her career, upcoming projects, and her experience directing for the first time:
When asked about Jurassic and the upcoming film, Johansson shared:
“Jurassic World: Rebirth, we just finished it. I feel like we’re still shooting it. We shot it in Thailand, Malta, and the UK, and it was a whirlwind. We shot for the last five months or something like that. My life-long dream has always been to participate in Jurassic in any way – I’ll do your craft service, your dinosaur motion-capture, I was like, put the dots all over me I’ll be that person. It was… It was a crazy ride, and it’s coming out, like, tomorrow basically.”
Her excitement and passion for the Jurassic franchise have been evident in every interview since she was announced as cast, and it’s great to hear about her experience during production. She certainly had nice things to say about her future Jurassic co-star and current Wicked star Jonathan Bailey as well. Water finds a way.
Jonathan Bailey spoke to Who What Wear about his career, fashion, Wicked, and upcoming performances:
From Who What Wear, Bailey on joining the Jurassic franchise in Rebirth:
Following Richard II, Bailey will return to the big screen with Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali in Jurassic World: Rebirth, playing paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis. A passing of the torch from Wicked co-star Jeff Goldblum, perhaps? We’ll have to wait and see, but Bailey does call Goldblum’s Jurassic Park character Dr. Malcolm the “rizz king” and credits the actor’s performances for keeping him “enthralled and titillated.” “If I can achieve half of what he did in the original Jurassic, I’ll be very happy,” he adds.
What Bailey can say about his own experience at this time is how excited he is to be joining the major franchise given how deeply nostalgic it is for him. Jurassic Park was the first film Bailey saw in the cinema with his family. He gets goosebumps thinking back on that time. “I just remember feeling so alive,” he says. “It’s a bit like Wicked [and] going back to singing and dancing. [I’m] now going back to one of these iconic experiences that I found so inspiring then, to be able to infiltrate that world.” To say Bailey is excited about this movie would be an understatement. “The idea of the John Williams theme playing under trotting through some grass fields chasing a dinosaur, you can’t get more mind-blowing and eye-popping than that,” he says.
Needless to say, Scarlett Johansson is a massive star, and Jonathan Bailey is becoming one before our eyes. The Jurassic franchise has impacted so many artists and filmmakers, and it’s apt that the franchise’s next big names have such deep connections to the films. Both have incredible acting skills and have built quite the portfolio for themselves. Jurassic World: Rebirthboasts one of the best casts of any 2025 film, which should help it attract audiences across the globe.
La-La Land Records has been hitting a homerun with ‘Jurassic Park’ fans over the years. In 2016, they released a double CD set of expanded and remastered soundtracks for the classic John Williams scores ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park,’ with both getting sperate releases (and even more material) in 2022 & 2023 respectively. This year, they have a new soundtrack release for the franchise’s third film, ‘Jurassic Park 3,’ composed by Don Davis! But what sets it apart from previous releases, and is it a definitive presentation of the score? Let’s take a walk in the park and find out!
In 2001, the soundtrack was released on CD in the form of a 54-minute album via Decca records. Composer Don Davis (‘The Matrix Trilogy’) assembled this 1-CD release himself, combining some cues together to form certain tracks, and arranging it all in his own personal sequence. Unlike the John Williams scores for the prior films, this one is nearly wall-to-wall action (just like the film). While it runs through every scene, it also expertly weaves themes established by Williams in very fun and clever ways. Also included on the album was the 1999 Randy Newman song “Big Hat, No Cattle,” which puzzled fans since it is only briefly heard in the film during an early bar scene in the background. While this album featured a decent amount of the score (about 50 minutes of Davis’s material), it did leave off several noteworthy cues that were heard in the film. Some of these were favorites of those who had seen the film, such as the climactic showdown with the Spinosaurus, expecting to find them on the album but ending up disappointed.
Interesting to note is that this album was an “Enhanced CD.” If put into a computer’s CD or DVD ROM drive, it would open a program with access to special features, including: the film’s trailer, a dinosaur size chart, photos, website access, a text conversation with Don Davis, and a trailer for the unreleased PlayStation game ‘Jurassic Park: Survival.’(It should be noted that the new 2024 soundtrack release does NOT include any of this content.) While this 2001 CD Album is now out of print, it can at least be bought for relatively cheap prices in the secondary market and is also easily available for digital purchase.
It’s been theorized that because the album’s CD needed extra space for the enhanced content (along with the Randy Newman song), it forced Don Davis to make his arrangement of the cues shorter than perhaps he wanted. This explains why the score’s runtime on the album is about 20 minutes shorter than the albums were for ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park.’ In fact, it could have otherwise included even more additional music, given the format’s size limits of about 80 minutes.
Curiously, about a year after the album was released, an “Academy Promo” CD was sent out for Oscar consideration that found its way online (perhaps by Dennis Nedry?). This longer, unofficial version of the soundtrack contained several additional tracks not included on the commercial Decca release, including many extended film versions of existing tracks. (However, it did not include the Randy Newman song nor any of the “Enhanced CD” content.) Some of the additional highlights include music for when the raptor eggs are discovered in the jungle, the Spinosaurus chasing the group toward the aviary’s entrance, and the film’s entire climax tracks (albeit with a fuller mix and additional orchestrations). Since this wasn’t an official release that one could find in stores, these unique tracks were shared with many fans through internet piracy. Over the past two decades, this was unfortunately the only way for anyone to hear the extended version of the soundtrack apart from watching the film itself.
La-La Land Records, Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Decca Records present JURASSIC PARK III, a limited edition 2-CD remastered and expanded presentation of acclaimed composer Don Davis’ (THE MATRIX, THE MATRIX RELOADED, BOUND) original motion picture score to the blockbuster second sequel in the legendary JURASSIC PARK franchise, starring Sam Neill, William H. Macy and Tea Leoni, and directed by Joe Johnston. Expertly interpolating, and building on, maestro John Williams’ iconic JURASSIC themes, composer Davis propels the film’s excitement even further with his own powerhouse, original orchestral material. Expanded and sounding better than ever, JURASSIC PARK III shines brilliantly – it’s robust, thematic high-octane film scoring that finally gets to shine in full within this deluxe release. Produced by Mike Matessino and Neil S. Bulk, newly edited by Bulk and mixed and mastered by Matessino from the original 24 bit film mixes, this 2-CD presentation showcases the original 2001 soundtrack release remastered on Disc 1, with the expanded film score spread across both discs, concluding with additional tracks on Disc 2. The exclusive, in-depth liner notes are by John Takis, including new comments from the composer, while the sharp art design is by Jim Titus, continuing the eye-catching style he employed for our JURASSIC PARK and THE LOST WORLD re-issues. This is a limited edition of 3000 Units.
The presentation of this edition of the score is the opposite of how their 2022 ‘Jurassic Park’ release was done: the original album is on the first CD, followed by the first section of the expanded score, with the rest of it and some additional alternates on the second CD. The release was presented this way due to space limitations on the CD format and their own personal preferences. The original album was included due to unique edits & takes that several of the tracks had and, of course, the Randy Newman song. For those already familiar with the original album, or want to skip to the expanded presentation, you’ll want to begin with track 17 on CD 1.
Right away, we hear something new: the film version of ‘Isla Sorna Sailing Situation.’ The only real addition to this cue is a sustained note near the beginning (as the film’s title cards are appearing on screen, and the water ripples). Other film versions as heard on the Academy promo are present, such as ‘Bone Man Ben,’ ‘Raptor Repartee,’ and ‘Cooper’s Last Stand.’ But what will be exciting for fans of the score are a few other film versions heard for the first time, such as ‘Dinosaur Man,’ ‘The Dinosaur Fly-By,’ and most notably ‘The Raptor Room’ (which includes an alternate segment and a longer moment with the choir). Additional alternates include an alternate opening to ‘Clash Of Extinction’ (a cue not heard in the film in any form), an alternate ending for ‘Raptor In The Cabin,’ and an alternate ending for ‘River Reminiscence.’ A major highlight, presented in extended form, is ‘The Hat Returns / End Credits,’ which showcases the full version of the end credits for the first time (longer, and arranged differently, than what is heard in the film).
However, despite having all of the Academy promo tracks (making those bootlegs of it finally obsolete), and a few other film versions of cues; there are still several missing, without any explanation. Most notably not on this release are film versions (or, what could be vastly different ‘film mixes’ that remove some of the brass and other instruments from their original compositions) of ‘Frenzy Fuselage,’ ‘River Rampage,’ and ‘Paul Makes A Leap.’ What’s interesting is that some of these tracks do have supposed “extended” versions on this release, but when hearing them there are no discernable differences. Listening closely, there are only either very minor performance differences or a sustained note with a longer fadeout at the end. The cues ‘Party Crasher,’ ‘Brachiosaurs On The Bank,’ and ‘Pteranodon Habitat’ have different openings or endings entirely in the film as well, and are also not present here. ‘Pteranodon Habitat’ has a timpani-heavy ending in the film, and while it is not certain if this piece was even composed by Don Davis, it would have been nice to have gleamed some explanation. Unfortunately, the liner notes (while detailed on the film’s history and the making of the score) don’t give us any intel on this topic.
Do these omissions taint the release of this soundtrack? That may depend on how much you were hoping to have those versions of the tracks. Neither me nor Bernard A. Kyer (who provided some details mentioned in this review) were asked to participate in this release like we did for ‘Jurassic Park’ in 2022 and ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ in 2023, so we can’t explain the absence of these film versions. There is a chance that the elements used in the film could not be found, or some strange rights issues, but without any information given we can only speculate. In my personal opinion, I do prefer the fuller orchestrated versions of these tracks that are included rather than what can be heard in the film.
Omissions aside, this is still the best release the ‘Jurassic Park 3’ soundtrack has ever had. The clever cover artwork that matches the prior two releases is fantastic, the sound quality is great, we finally have an official release of the Academy promo’s tracks, and it provides several film versions of cues people have wanted to hear outside of the film ever since it came out. With the original album also included at the beginning, there really is no need to own the previous release unless you want to hang onto the “Enhanced CD” content (if it even works on your computer anymore).
DISC 1 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM (54:28) 1 Isla Sorna Sailing Situation 4:21 2 The Dinosaur Fly-By 2:13 3 Cooper’s Last Stand 1:59 4 The Raptor Room 2:35 5 Raptor Repartee 3:04 6 Tree People 2:00 7 Pteranodon Habitat 3:01 8 Tiny Pecking Pteranodons 3:34 9 Billy Oblivion 2:49 10 Brachiosaurus On The Bank 2:05 11 Nash Calling 3:36 12 Bone Man Ben 7:18 13 Frenzy Fuselage 3:58 14 Clash Of Extinction 1:39 15 The Hat Returns / End Credits 5:07 16 Big Hat, No Cattle 4:24 Performed by Randy Newman
SCORE PRESENTATION (85:07) 17 Isla Sorna Sailing Situation (Film Version) 4:26 18 Dinosaur Man 1:43 19 Udesky, Nash And Cooper 2:29 20 The Raptor Bone 1:18 21 Raptor In The Cabin 1:52 22 The Dinosaur Fly-By (Film Version) 2:28 23 Cooper’s Last Stand (Extended Version) 2:52 24 Frenzy Fuselage (Extended Version) 4:08 25 Clash Of Extinction 1:40 DISC 1 TOTAL TIME: 77:40
ADDITIONAL MUSIC (13:14) 20 Dinosaur Man (Alternate) 1:43 21 Raptor In The Cabin (Alternate) 1:52 22 Cooper’s Last Stand (Alternate) 2:38 23 Clash Of Extinction (Alternate Opening) 1:46 24 River Rampage (Alternate Ending) 2:11 25 River Reminiscence (Alternate Ending) 1:08 26 Dinosaur Man (With Choir) 1:44 DISC 2 TOTAL TIME: 75:18 TOTAL 2-DISC TIME: 2:32:58
Still available from La-La Land Records are their 2-CD remastered/expanded reissues of ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park!’ Don’t miss your chance to own the ultimate versions of those scores as well!
Note: Additional images of physical product provided by Matthieu Munoz.
Are you going to get this new release of the ‘Jurassic Park 3’ soundtrack? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and as always stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!
Just last week Empire Magazine gave us another look at the upcoming Jurassic Park sequel and today, Vanity Fair have extended that look, with a new photo featuring Scarlett Johansson in that same long grass.
The quote:
Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali wade through a field while filming in Thailand with director Gareth Edwards (Rogue One). In the seventh movie of the franchise, they’re members of a team harvesting genetic material from wild dinosaurs that contains lifesaving compounds. The other parts of the dinos are as deadly as ever.
However, the photo actually features Bechir Sylvain in the background there.
We also have an extended look at the full Empire Magazine spread which features some new quotes from director Gareth Edwards. See below:
A few choice quotes: Where Godzilla was tougher to sell as a specific threat to the lead characters in that movie, Edwards explains, dinosaurs present an immediate, viscerally direct peril. So if Godzilla needed to be more of a disaster movie, this one allows him to make an “action horror, of sorts”. Much like, he points out, the original Jurassic Park.
While Edwards is clearly harking back to the original (even shooting on 35mm film for the first time in his career), this will be a “whole new chapter in the timeline of Jurassic”, which blends elements of the mission movie with some classic ‘monster island’ antics.
The character [Zora Bennett], he adds, was not gender-specific in the script, so could have been played by anyone. But at the first mention of her name, he knew it had to be Johansson. “In the first-ever meeting I had with Universal and Steven Spielberg, Steven mentioned how he’d once met Scarlett and she’d been super keen to be in a Jurassic film. As soon as I heard that I thought, ‘That’s the end of the meeting, right? Are you going to call her, or shall I?’ Thankfully, she was totally up for it.”
How excited are you to return to Isla Sorna’s long grass? Comment below!
“It goes back to what I loved about the original, with an embarrassment of riches of different set-piece-type scenarios and tense, fun action moments. There were a lot of opportunities as a filmmaker to have a lot of fun and try and play games with the audience,” Jurassic World: Rebirth director Gareth Edwards tells Empire. He shared more about the film, alongside a brand new still of Scarlett Johansson‘s covert operations expert Zora Bennett, in their January 2025 Preview issue, out November 21st.
The Jurassic franchise has been through all kinds of evolutions already. There was Spielberg’s classic original Jurassic Park, which led to The Lost World and Jurassic Park III. And then in 2015 began the Jurassic World trilogy, giving us a fully-fledged dinosaur theme park before letting the pre-historic beasts loose on the world. Now, Jurassic is about to be reborn – quite literally, with Jurassic World Rebirth ready to bare its teeth. This time, Godzilla and Monsters director Gareth Edwards is putting his scaly-beast expertise to good use, working from a script by original Park scribe David Koepp – ready to take the saga back to the source.
“It goes back to what I loved about the original,” Edwards tells Empire in our Andor Season 2 issue, “with an embarrassment of riches of different set-piece-type scenarios and tense, fun action moments. There were a lot of opportunities as a filmmaker to have a lot of fun and try and play games with the audience.” Set give years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, it continues the dinos-in-the-wild premise established across that trilogy, while beginning “a whole new chapter in the timeline of Jurassic”.
While it’ll be packed with prehistoric beasts (“there are certain dinosaurs it would be a crime against cinema not to include,” notes Edwards), the new human lead is Scarlett Johansson – whose operative Zora Bennett is leading an epic dino-DNA hunt. “She’s looking for meaning in her life after leaving the military,” Edwards teases of her role, “and this opportunity comes along where [after it] basically she’d never have to work again. But through that journey, she starts to question the ethical rights and wrongs of what they’re doing.” You’re saying she was so preoccupied with whether or not she could, she didn’t stop to think if she should? Buckle up for some classic Jurassic.
Read more about Jurassic World Rebirth in Empire’s Ultimate 2025 Preview, led by Andor Season 2 – in the January 2025 issue. Pre-order a copy online here. Jurassic World Rebirth comes to UK cinemas in July.
EXCLUSIVE 🦖#JurassicWorldRebirth “goes back to what I loved about the original”, Gareth Edwards tells Empire.
The new image of Scarlett Johansson’s Zora Bennett appears to be in the same location or a similar one to the previously shared set photo above. It could even be the same scene with Jonathan Bailey’s Dr. Loomis, as Zora appears in her ex-military operation attire and is wielding some kind of large combination of a weapon and dino-DNA extraction syringe. What is this location, and how will this weapon/tool be used? The location itself and the lighting and colors present are excellent and feel quite in-line with Jurassic. According to director Gareth Edwards, Bennett is “looking for meaning in her life after leaving the military, and this opportunity comes along where [after it] basically she’d never have to work again. But through that journey, she starts to question the ethical rights and wrongs of what they’re doing.” This brings interesting depth to her character within the Jurassic world, but what could it also mean for the larger story of Jurassic World: Rebirth?
Edwards also stated that “it’ll be packed with prehistoric beasts (there are certain dinosaurs it would be a crime against cinema not to include,” and that “it goes back to what I loved about the original.” With a new director on board, David Koepp bringing a fresh writing perspective after time away from the franchise, and new star-power embarking on adventures in very Jurassic environments, we could be headed towards a very exciting rebirth for the Jurassic franchise. What dinosaurs will we see, and what dino-DNA are we after – and why? What is the dynamic between humans and dinosaurs as we traverse the globe with Dr. Henry Loomis, Duncan Kincaid, and Martin Krebs on Zora Bennett’s operation? How does it all connect to the “sinister, shocking discovery that has been hidden from the world for decades”?
Jurassic World: Rebirth – in theaters July 2, 2025.
Recently we had the incredible opportunity to step into a world that felt like a scene straight out of Jurassic World. Thanks to the amazing team at Scenic World, who invited Jurassic Outpost for an exclusive look at their Dinosaur Valley attraction, we experienced one of Australia’s most immersive dino adventures!
Welcome to Dinosaur Valley
Nestled in the breathtaking Blue Mountains, Scenic World’s Dinosaur Valley offers an experience that’s as close as you can get to a real-life Jurassic Park. Right as I entered, I was greeted by lifelike baby dinosaurs, including a cousin of the Ankylosaurus, a massive T-Rex, and even an impressively animated Dilophosaurus! Each animatronic dino brought so much personality and realism to the experience, making me feel like I’d walked into a prehistoric world.
The Scenic Railway: A Ride Into the Past
One of the highlights was hopping aboard the Scenic Railway, which felt like stepping into a Jurassic World film. The steep descent into the valley is an adventure on its own, with the dense foliage, misty mountains, and distant dinosaur roars setting an epic atmosphere. It’s no surprise that this spot is often referred to as one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Blue Mountains, now made even better with a Jurassic twist!
A Journey Through Dinosaur Valley
After getting a map, it was time to begin exploring. My first stop was at the family of Parallophosaurus, a stunning and lifelike group that brought so much charm to the trail. Walking through the valley surrounded by mountains and ancient rainforest, I was immersed in the environment, with the roars of dinosaurs echoing through the jungle, adding an unmatched authenticity to the adventure.
Meeting the Spinosaurus
No Jurassic adventure is complete without a fan-favorite dinosaur, and for me, that’s the Spinosaurus! Seeing it in this setting, surrounded by lush vegetation, felt surreal—it was as if the dinosaur had truly come to life in its natural habitat. Another cool feature Scenic World added was a sign language board that teaches visitors how to sign dinosaur terminology, adding an educational and inclusive element to the experience.
Plan Your Visit to Dinosaur Valley
Scenic World’s Dinosaur Valley is perfect for fans of Jurassic Park, families, and adventure lovers. The immersive scenery, incredible dinosaur models, and the stunning landscape of the Blue Mountains create a unique Jurassic adventure that feels authentic and fun. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate dino experience, this is the place to be!
For more information on Dinosaur Valley and ticket options, visit Scenic World’s website. Don’t miss out on this limited-time event—explore a real-life Jurassic adventure in Australia’s most picturesque landscape!
Despite the next installment in the Jurassic World series having wrapped filming at the end of September, actors Scarlett Johansson and Rupert Friend were spotted filming in New York City last weekend!
Both Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th saw director Gareth Edwards directing the actors and filming sequences that seemingly link to what was filmed at the University of Greenwich in the UK, weeks earlier.
The scenes appear to be set during the first act of the movie – expositional scenes that establish the world that the movie takes place in, and provide some context for the story. A number of photos and videos from the set were shared online showcasing the two actors, many extras, and a team from “NYC Animal Control & Rescue” decontaminating an area.
The scenes were all shot in Brooklyn, specifically DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) and you can see many of the photos below! Be sure to check out our video above for more information, and watch some of the filming taking place in the shorts below.
Producer Frank Marshall also took to social media to share this image of one of the cameras used for this filming, confirming that the movie is the first in the franchise to shoot with Anamorphic lenses.
Last Friday, October 11th, we had the incredible opportunity to host a Jurassic Outpost Community Meet-Up at PAX Australia 2024 – the ultimate event for gamers and pop culture enthusiasts. For those unfamiliar, PAX is a massive gaming convention held annually, bringing together gamers, developers, and fans from around the world for a weekend full of games, panels, and unforgettable experiences.
Our Jurassic Outpost Meet-Up was a dino-lover’s dream come true! We decked out the space with Dino inflatables, handed out limited edition Jurassic Outpost stickers, and played iconic Jurassic music to set the scene. But the real highlight? Meeting all of you, our fellow Jurassic fans, who came together to celebrate the franchise we love.
Throughout the event, we gave fans the chance to voice their thoughts on the current state of the Jurassic franchise—what they love, what they hope for, and what they’d like to see improve. The passion and insights shared by the community were amazing! We also had some incredible cosplayers join in, snapping photos with our Dino inflatables, making it a fantastic time for everyone involved.
I landed in Melbourne, the 3:30am wake up caught up to me 😅
After the meet-up, our very own host Jayden(aka NJayrassic) took part in a 3v3 gaming trivia panel for charity, hosted by GenerOzity. Jayden nailed all of the Jurassic questions (no surprise there!) and even showed off his impressive Velociraptor sounds, adding an extra dose of fun to the event.
We want to extend a massive thank you to PAX Australia for letting us host the Jurassic Outpost Community Meet-Up, and to all of the fans who came out to support us. The love and dedication from this community means everything, and we can’t wait to do more events like this in the future!
For The Fans, By The Fans 🦖🦕
Thank you to everyone who came out to the first PAX community meet up! 🦕🦖
