Summary:
- Deadline reports Universal Studios is eyeing Jonathan Bailey to be the next Jurassic World’s protagonist, replacing Chris Pratt.
- Bailey is famous for his role as Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s Bridgerton series.
- Universal Studios aims to reboot the entire Jurassic franchise, instead of making a direct-to-sequel.
Jonathan Bailey, renowned for his role in Bridgerton, is reportedly in discussions to lead the upcoming Jurassic World 4. This new cretaceous installment, directed by Gareth Edwards, is shaking things up as a reboot rather than a direct sequel to Jurassic World Dominion, opting not to bring back familiar faces like Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, nor the Jurassic World cast such as Chris Pratt, or Bryce Dallas Howard.
The script comes from David Koepp, who penned the original Jurassic Park and its first sequel, The Lost World.
Deadline reports that Bailey and MCU star Scarlett Johansson are both in early talks to become the fresh faces of the franchise, under the production banner of Universal and Amblin Entertainment, with Steven Spielberg returning as an executive producer. Bailey’s involvement deepens his ties with Universal, considering his upcoming role as Fiyero in their highly anticipated Wicked adaptation.
While the Jurassic World trilogy was a box office success, it simply doesn’t capture the essence of the original 1993 classic. The latest Jurassic World: Dominion in particular, was criticized for the lackluster plot and for over-relying on the old cast with Laura Dern, Sam Neil, and Jeff Goldblum, despite raking in big bucks at theaters worldwide.
Besides Wicked, Bailey’s recent roles include his award-winning performance in Fellow Travelers alongside Matt Bomer. However, it is his role as the eldest Bridgeton sibling, Anthony, in the popular Netflix series that brought Bailey’s name to stardom. His potential involvement in Jurassic World 4 suggests a shift towards introducing original characters that steer away from nostalgia, aiming to inject fresh energy into the franchise.
After a total of six Jurassic Park and Jurassic World installments, Universal Studios and the creative team seem poised to breathe new life into this beloved franchise, moving beyond the tried and tested formula. By roping in Bailey, they hope to replicate the original magic of Jurassic Park, which not only dazzled with its visuals but also captivated with its compelling characters, and of course, the majestic dinosaurs.
With Jurassic World 4 hitting theaters worldwide on July 2, 2025, here’s hoping Bailey’s addition to the collection will be a roaring success, marking a dino-mite new era for the behemoth franchise.
