Despite the fact that dinosaurs are now running loose all over the globe, don’t expectJurassic World: Dominionto be the final film in theJurassic Parkfranchise. Far from it.
When speaking with Collider’s own Christina Radish about the upcoming Epix music documentaryLaurel Canyon, producerFrank Marshallaffirmed thatJurassic World: Dominionis not being planned as the conclusion of the franchise. “It’s the start of a new era,” he said, after an effusive “no” when asked ifJurassic World 3was being envisioned as an endpoint. “The dinosaurs are now on the mainland amongst us, and they will be for quite some time, I hope” he added, alluding to future stories set in this “new normal” world where humans have to share the globe alongside dinosaurs.
Jurassic Worldwas itself the beginning of a new era for the franchise, followingSteven Spielberg’sJurassic ParkandThe Lost WorldandJoe Johnston’sJurassic Park III. Spielberg returned as a producer onJurassic World, but it’s director and co-writerColin Trevorrowwho has now taken the reins of the franchise and directedJurassic Worldand the upcomingJurassic World 3. Trevorrow co-wrote and produced the follow-upJurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, which was directed byJ.A. Bayona.
And whileJurassic Worldwas very much an echo of the firstJurassic Parkmovie albeit with a fully operational park,Fallen Kingdombrought the dinosaurs to the mainland and ended with a number of them getting loose.Jurassic World: Dominiononce again seesChris PrattandBryce Dallas Howardreturn to lead this new era of the franchise, butSam Neill,Laura Dern, andJeff Goldblumare reprising their roles from the initial launch of the franchise because with dinos on the run, they need all the expert help they can get.
But Marshall’s description ofDominionas the start of a new era is interesting. Traditionally, when actors sign on for major franchises, they sign three-picture contracts. If that’s the case with Pratt and Howard, they’ve fulfilled their contracts at the end ofDominion. And with Marshall teasing a “new era,” it’s possible thatDominionmight bring Owen and Claire’s stories to an end while teasing the further adventures of other new characters. Either ones that would be brand new to the franchise inJurassic World 4, or a handoff to the younger cast members likeJustice SmithorDaniella Pineda. Or maybe afterDominion, a time jump picks up with a grown up Maisie Lockwood, since she herself is a clone created using the same DNA technology that first brought the dinosaurs back from extinction.
Whatever the case, first we haveJurassic World: Dominionto look forward to. Production was three weeks in when it was shut down over coronavirus concerns, but Marshall says they have their sets built in London and will be “back in business” once they have guidelines from the British government. So far, Universal Pictures hasn’t delayed the film’s planned July 10, 2025 release date. Yet.
Look for our full interview with Marshall on Collider soon. And for more onJurassic, check outPerri’s ranking of the films thus far.
