Gareth Edwards Exits Jurassic World Rebirth Sequel Over ‘Creative Differences’

Director Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) will no longer be directing the planned sequel to last year’s global smash hit, Jurassic World Rebirth, per The Hollywood Reporter. The filmmaker reportedly left the project over “creative differences.”

Edwards’ latest installment in the Jurassic Park film franchise was a commercial success, grossing $339 million domestically and $869 million worldwide, showing that moviegoers’ appetite for dinos on the big screen hasn’t waned. Universal Pictures reportedly started moving quickly on a sequel, with writer David Koepp attached to return. Rebirth stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey are also said to be returning, though their schedules are still being worked out for the sequel.

Plot details on the new movie are currently being kept under wraps. Koepp, who adapted Michael Crichton’s bestselling novel for the original 1993 motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg, returned to the franchise for the latest movie. Koepp also wrote Spielberg’s 1997 sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

When asked for a statement on the topic, Universal told THR, “We had an incredible experience working with Gareth on Jurassic World Rebirth.”

Creative issues have been a consistent issue for the franchise, as one studio insider informed THR. David Leitch was attached to direct Rebirth at one point, but he departed the project over its creative direction. Also, Steven Spielberg and longtime producer Frank Marshall continue to maintain heavy oversight on the franchise.

THR notes that showcasing dinosaurs in the modern world and delivering wonder and terror remain “the north star” for Spielberg, Marshall, and the studio.

Gareth Edwards Moves On From Jurassic World Rebirth Sequel

It’s unknown what Edwards plans to do next, but according to THR, one source suggested he might do a more “creator-generated” project next. Before Rebirth, he directed the original sci-fi feature, The Creator, released in 2023.

Jurassic World Rebirth‘s sequel is currently in the works. It does not yet have an official release date. In the new movie, security and extraction specialist Zora Bennett (Johansson) leads an expedition to a dangerous island that once housed the dinosaur test subjects for InGen. Pharmaceutical executive Martin Krebs seeks Bennett’s help to lead the expedition to obtain live dinosaur samples that Krebs’ company wants to synthesize into a cure for heart disease.

You can check out 411’s official review of Jurassic World Rebirth RIGHT HERE.