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J.A. Bayona is reportedly the frontrunner to direct the next Jurassic World film, but Universal has not officially hired him. The report follows Gareth Edwards’ departure from the sequel after reported creative differences. The director search is still described as ongoing.
What is actually confirmed?
TheWrap reported on October 2, 2026, that Bayona is Universal’s leading choice for the next installment. That is a report about the studio’s preference, not an announcement of a signed deal. Universal has not publicly confirmed Bayona as director.
TheWrap previously reported on August 6, 2026, that Gareth Edwards would not return after directing Jurassic World: Rebirth. Universal characterized its relationship with Edwards positively, saying: “We had an incredible experience working with Gareth on ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’”. The report attributed his departure to creative differences.
Why Bayona is a logical choice
Bayona already has direct experience with the franchise: he directed Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. That familiarity gives him an established understanding of the series’ production scale, dinosaur effects, returning mythology and tonal range.
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Fallen Kingdom also demonstrated the blend Universal may want from a future entry: large-scale dinosaur spectacle alongside darker, suspense-oriented sequences. Experience with the property does not guarantee Bayona’s appointment, but it explains why he is being considered ahead of filmmakers without a franchise connection.
Who is expected to return?
TheWrap reported that Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey are expected to return for the follow-up. Their reported involvement should not be treated as a complete, officially confirmed cast list; Universal has not announced every casting or contract detail for the next film.
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David Koepp is reported to have written the follow-up screenplay. Koepp previously wrote the original Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, making his reported return another link to the franchise’s earlier creative era.
What happened to Gareth Edwards?
Edwards’ exit was reported as a creative-differences decision rather than a public dispute. Universal’s statement praised the experience of making Rebirth, but it did not explain the specific creative issues or identify which story, production or scheduling decisions led to the change.
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The change means the next film could retain Koepp’s reported script while moving forward with a different directing approach. Until Universal comments further, it is not established whether the screenplay will be revised for a new director.
Possible title and release timing
Dark Horizons repeated prior reports that the next movie could be titled Jurassic World: Liberation and might target June 2028. Neither the title nor the release window has been officially confirmed by Universal.
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For now, “June 2028” should be read as a reported target, not a fixed theatrical date. A director change can affect development, rewrites, production scheduling and post-production, so the timing may change even if the report is accurate.
How this compares with the current franchise situation
| Question | What is established |
|---|---|
| Director | J.A. Bayona is reportedly the frontrunner; no official appointment has been announced. |
| Previous franchise connection | Bayona directed Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. |
| Previous director | Gareth Edwards reportedly left after Jurassic World: Rebirth over creative differences. |
| Screenplay | David Koepp is reported to have written the follow-up. |
| Expected returning performers | Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey are reported to be expected back. |
| Working title | Jurassic World: Liberation is an unconfirmed prior report. |
| Release date | A June 2028 window has been reported but is not an official announcement. |
How well did Jurassic World: Rebirth perform?
TheWrap reported that Jurassic World: Rebirth grossed $869 million worldwide in 2025. That figure is attributed to TheWrap’s reporting and describes the film’s reported global gross; it is not a guarantee that every subsequent sequel decision will follow the same commercial strategy.
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What to watch for next
- Universal’s official announcement of a director.
- Confirmation that Bayona has signed rather than remaining under consideration.
- Official cast announcements for Johansson, Ali and Bailey.
- A confirmed title replacing the reported Jurassic World: Liberation label.
- A studio release-date announcement rather than an unconfirmed June 2028 target.
Until those announcements arrive, the clearest reading is that Universal is considering a return to a familiar filmmaker while rebuilding the sequel after Edwards’ departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is J.A. Bayona officially directing the next Jurassic World movie?
No. Reports identify Bayona as the frontrunner, but Universal has not confirmed his hiring and the search is ongoing.
Why did Gareth Edwards leave the Jurassic World sequel?
Reports attribute his departure to creative differences. Universal praised its experience working with Edwards but did not provide further details.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhen will the next Jurassic World movie be released?
A June 2028 release has been reported, but Universal has not officially announced a date.
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