The Steven Spielberg-created “Jurassic Park” franchise is getting a new addition and it’s already backed by some serious star power. During a press junket for her new movie “Fly Me to the Moon,” Scarlett Johansson confirmed that she is joining the upcoming “Jurassic World” reboot.
The “Jurassic Park” Franchise
In 1993, Spielberg directed “Jurassic Park” from a script by David Koepp. The film centers around an amusement park where living dinosaurs are the main attraction. It spawned two direct sequels, 1997’s “Lost World: Jurassic Park” and 2001’s “Jurassic Park III.”
In 2015, Universal Pictures did a reboot rebranding the series “Jurassic World,” though it continued the storyline of the original three films. The new franchise was led by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. It also spawned two feature-length sequels 2018’s “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” and 2022’s “Jurassic World Dominion.” As well as the 2019 short “Battle at Big Rock” and the animated series “Camp Cretaceous” and “Choas Theory.”
The Upcoming Addition
Johansson made a name for herself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe playing the super spy Black Widow. When asked what about the new “Jurassic” project made her want to return to franchise films. “Everything,” she responded. “I’m an enormous “Jurassic Park” fan. It’s one of the first films I remember seeing in the theater. I remember seeing it so vividly. It was like life-changing. It was mind-blowing. I cannot express how excited I am.”
While this upcoming addition to the franchise is untitled, many are using the working title “Jurassic World 4.” It will be directed by Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla”) from a script by Koepp. This will be Koepp’s first time working in the franchise since “The Lost World.”
“The script is so incredible,” Johansson says. “David Koepp wrote it. He returned after like 30 years to write the script. He’s so passionate about it, which is so awesome.”
A Long Time Coming
But Johansson’s involvement shouldn’t come as a shock considering she has been pushing to join the franchise for over a decade.
“I’m such an enormous fan of the franchise and huge nerd for it. I’m just like, I can’t even, I’m pinching myself,” Johansson adds. “I’ve been trying to get into this franchise in any possible way for over 10 years. I’m like, ‘I’ll die in the first five minutes! I can get eaten by whatever! I’ll do the craft service!’ I’ll do anything for it. The fact that it’s happened in this way at this time just is actually unbelievable. I can’t believe it.”
“Jurassic World 4” is currently shooting principal photography in Thailand. There is no set release date for the film but we’ll keep you posted on updates as it develops. Johansson’s “Fly Me to the Moon” hits theaters on July 12th.
