Director Colin Trevorrow talks new & returning characters in Jurassic World

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Filming on the fourth entry in the JURASSIC PARK franchise, JURASSIC WORLD, is about to get underway and yet is still shrouded in a lot of mystery. There hasn’t been much in the way of official announcements, with much of the casting news coming from a variety of outside sources, including Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt. The other element that is heavy on fan’s minds is whether or not any of the original actors would be back, including Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern. Most of these actors have debunked their involvement so far and now director Colin Trevorrow, speaking to IGN, reveals why they won’t be back, which side character WILL be back, details on Pratt’s character, and how JURASSIC WORLD will be different from the other films in the series.

On why the original leads won’t be back and which side character WILL be back:

I know a lot of fans want to see the original characters back. They’re iconic. But I respect those actors too much to shoehorn them into this story for my own sentimental reasons. Jurassic Park isn’t about the bad luck of three people who keep getting thrown into the same situation. The only reason they’d go back to that island is if the screenwriters contrived a reason for them to go. But there is a character from the first film who makes sense in our world. This hasn’t been announced yet, but BD Wong will be returning as Dr. Henry Wu. He had a much larger role in the original novel, he was the engineer of this breakthrough in de-extinction. He spent two decades living in Hammond’s shadow, underappreciated. We think there’s more to his story.

On Chris Pratt‘s character in the film:

He’s a classic hero in a very modern context. He’s the guy who will get you through the jungle alive – but like Malcolm, Grant and Sattler, he’s an expert in a scientific field that’s connected to our story. The character allows us to explore some new ideas about our relationship with these animals, without losing the humor and sense of adventure. He’s a great contrast for Bryce Dallas Howard’s character, who starts off very corporate, very controlled. Until the running and screaming starts. Then they need each other.

On how JURASSIC WORLD will differ from the other films in the franchise:

I’m not on a mission to separate this film from the ones that came before. That will happen naturally – I have different instincts. But, like a lot of people my age, I grew up on Amblin movies. They’re a part of who I am as a filmmaker, and arguably as a person. This film will have a lot of new ideas in it, but I think the spirit will be familiar. It will have an old soul.

I know some are skeptical, but I’m very excited to see this come to life. Trevorrow may not be the most experienced big-budget director, but more and more that’s being proven not to be such a big factor in delivering a quality film. The casting is another factor; Pratt is a terrific choice for a lead, as is Howard, along with Vincent D’Onofrio, B.D. Wong, Irrfan Khan, Ty Simpkins, and Jake Johnson. With the extended production timeframe (the film was originally due for release this year), I think they’ll be able to put the film together with some finesse, rather than rushing it to a summer deadline. So far, I think this will be worth the wait.

JURASSIC WORLD starts terrorizing theaters on June 12, 2015.