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"Jurassic World's Rebirth Trailer Falls Short of Franchise Promises"

by Sadie Apr 10,2025

The summer movie season of 2025 is set to take us back to the age of dinosaurs with the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. As the seventh installment in the iconic Jurassic Park franchise and the first in a "new era" following the conclusion of the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard-led trilogy with Jurassic World Dominion, this film is directed by Gareth Edwards and features an exciting new cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. With the return of original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, expectations were high. However, the trailer suggests a step backward for the series. The promised world of dinosaurs from Fallen Kingdom and teased again in Dominion seems to be missing. Let's dive into what the trailer reveals and why the Jurassic World series might be missing a golden opportunity.

**Back to the Cretaceous** --------------------------

The Jurassic World trilogy has had a mixed reception among critics, yet it remains a box office juggernaut, beloved by global audiences for its thrilling dinosaur adventures. Even after the conclusion of the first three World films, Universal was quick to greenlight more dino-centric blockbusters. The choice of Gareth Edwards, known for his work on 2014's Godzilla and Rogue One, as director is particularly intriguing. Edwards excels at capturing the grandeur of VFX-heavy films, and his CGI expertise positions him well for this type of blockbuster.

Despite the impressive visuals in the trailer, the absence of the 'world of dinosaurs' concept teased since Fallen Kingdom is a glaring omission. The dinosaurs are beautifully animated, and Edwards' attention to detail in terms of scale and lighting sets this film apart from many unsightly blockbusters we've seen recently. Remarkably, Edwards managed to achieve this on a tight schedule, having been hired in February 2024 and starting production by June. While the trailer doesn't give us much time with the new cast, the action sequences and dinosaur scenes are promising. However, the lack of focus on the 'world of dinosaurs' remains a concern, especially when compared to less memorable elements like the evil locusts from Jurassic World Dominion.

Who's the best Jurassic hero character? --------------------------------------- Alan Grant (Sam Neill)Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern)Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum)Owen Grady (Chris Pratt)Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard)I haven't seen Rebirth yet but I'm voting for Scarlett Johansson already.Other (Tell us in the comments.)

AnswerSee Results**An Island? Again?!** ----------------------

The setting of Jurassic World Rebirth on yet another island feels like a retreat to familiar territory. This new island, supposedly the research facility for the original Jurassic Park, contradicts previous canon and reverts to the franchise's traditional setting of a tropical island isolated from civilization. This choice seems puzzling, especially after the previous trilogy concluded with dinosaurs roaming freely across the globe. According to Universal's official synopsis, "Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived."

This explanation feels like an unnecessary course correction. Why build up to a global Jurassic World if it's not going to be utilized? Dominion already scaled back the concept of dinosaurs overrunning the world by confining them to a preserve in the Italian Alps, and now Rebirth seems to abandon this best new idea the series had in years. It's a curious creative decision for a film meant to relaunch the franchise with fresh characters and ideas, yet it clings to the same old setting.

Moreover, this choice doesn't align well with the established lore. Dominion showcased dinosaurs in various global settings, from snowy regions to urban areas, suggesting they were adapting well to different environments. The Malta chase scene, featuring dinosaurs rampaging through a city, was one of the most memorable sequences in that film. Given the franchise's consistent success, why not take a bold step and explore new dimensions with the series?

While it's possible that Jurassic World Rebirth has more surprises in store than what's shown in the trailer, the rumored original title Jurassic City hints at a different setting that might be intentionally concealed. It's high time for the Jurassic franchise to move beyond the tropical island trope. While a full Planet of the Apes-style world with dinosaurs might be ambitious, there must be a middle ground to showcase these creatures in new and exciting environments. We'll see how Jurassic World Rebirth unfolds, but for now, we hope the franchise will embrace the opportunity to explore something truly innovative rather than rehashing the past.