There’s been a new update to the upcoming Jurassic World film from Universal. After fast-tracking the film for a 2025 release with a new script from veteran scribe David Koepp, it was announced that David Leitch was in talks to direct the film. Now, according to Deadline, he is not in talks, after all; they fell through. Universal is back on the hunt for a director to helm the movie that is getting dangerously close to missing the July 2nd, 2025 release date that was planned. It’s probably one of the hottest open jobs in Hollywood right now.
The split between Leitch and the studio happened partly because they both had different visions for the film. It was an amicable split, but we won’t be getting the bombastic action of movies like Bullet Train mixed with dinosaurs.
The new movie will be a completely different take on the Jurassic franchise that likely won’t include Chris Pratt or Bryce Dallas Howard from the three previous Jurassic World films. It also won’t be including Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, or Sam Neill.
The film will be executive produced by Steven Spielberg through Amblin Entertainment, Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley will produce and David Leitch and Kelly McCormick will also produce through 87North. Executive Vice President of Production Development Sara Scott and Creative Executive of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the project for the Studio.
This deal is currently tentative, but if reached, would be a major name to helm the franchise. If you forgot, Jurassic World: Dominion is one of the only films in recent years, since the COVID-19 pandemic to rake in over $1 billion at the box office. Koepp previously wrote the first two Jurassic Park films in addition to plenty of other credits. Leitch has previously worked on films like Deadpool 2 and Bullet Train. That action style doesn’t really jive with the style we’ve come to know and love from the Jurassic series; so that might be why the studio eventually didn’t pick him to direct.
Leitch directed the upcoming The Fall Guy for Universal and has also done Hobbs & Shaw for the studio.
We’ll keep you updated on this as we get more news.
For more on Movie News, make sure to check back to That Hashtag Show.
Source: Deadline
