Overview
- Multiple trade outlets reported Friday that J.A. Bayona has surfaced as Universal’s top choice to replace Gareth Edwards on the follow-up to Jurassic World: Rebirth.
- Gareth Edwards formally left the project in August over creative differences, prompting the studio to open a search for a new director.
- Universal is working from a David Koepp script and the Rebirth leads Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey are expected to return subject to scheduling.
- Reports emphasize that Bayona has not entered formal talks with the studio and that Universal declined to offer a substantive comment to reporters.
- Producers Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall remain involved and sources say the studio is eyeing a fast timeline with shooting discussed for 2027, which would make director and cast commitments time-sensitive.