Creative differences is the reason why Jurassic World Rebirth director Gareth Edwards has left the project, according to The Hollywood Reporter, meaning the man behind the 2025 $869 million grossing sixth sequel to the 1993 Spielberg classic Jurassic Park won’t lead his dinos into a brave new world after all.
Universal began moving on a sequel swiftly and has a script by returning scribe David Koepp. Johansson, Ali, and Bailey are expected to return, although schedules are still being worked out.
Plot details or takes are being kept in the Barbasol can and it is unclear what the creative differences were.
But studio insiders note that the Jurassic franchise is one that has ebbed and flowed with filmmakers. David Leitch was at one point set to direct Rebirth, for example, but left over creative direction. The one constant in the franchise is the involvement of Jurassic Park director Steven Spielberg and producer Frank Marshall, who exercise a heavy hand. For them and the studio, the north star of the franchise is dinosaurs in the modern world delivering wonder and terror.
“We had an incredible experience working with Gareth on Jurassic World Rebirth,” said Universal in a statement.
There’s always room for a talented director with such a keen eye to make a return to the GFFA in its 50th year.