"Jurassic World Rebirth Trailer Fails to Deliver on Franchise Promises"

The summer movie season of 2025 is set to take us back to the prehistoric era with the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. As the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise and the inaugural film of a "new era" following the conclusion of the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard-led trilogy with Jurassic World Dominion, this movie is directed by Gareth Edwards and features a fresh cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. Despite the impressive lineup, including the return of original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the trailer suggests that the film's premise might be a step backward for the series. The anticipated "world of dinosaurs" hinted at in Fallen Kingdom and teased in Dominion seems to be missing from this new entry.

Let's dive into what the trailer reveals and what it doesn't, and explore why the Jurassic World series appears to be overlooking its most significant opportunity.

The Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reception from critics, yet it remains one of the most consistently lucrative blockbuster franchises at the global box office over the past decade. Fans worldwide are captivated by dinosaurs, and even with Universal retiring the cast from the first three World films, the demand for more dino adventures was undeniable. The studio swiftly assembled a new cast and crew, with Gareth Edwards, known for his work on 2014's Godzilla and Rogue One, steering the ship. Edwards excels in portraying scale in VFX-heavy blockbusters, and his CGI expertise sets him apart from many directors typically chosen for big-budget films.

However, the trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth hints at a departure from the 'world of dinosaurs' concept teased since Fallen Kingdom, overshadowing the excitement. The dinosaurs are beautifully animated and Edwards' attention to detail in terms of scale and lighting elevates the film's visuals far beyond many recent unsightly blockbusters. Remarkably, Edwards managed this feat on a tight schedule, having been hired in February 2024 and starting production by June. While the trailer doesn't allow us much time to connect with the new characters, the action sequences and ample dinosaur screen time are promising, especially when compared to less memorable elements like the evil locusts from Jurassic World Dominion.

Despite these positive aspects, the absence of the 'world of dinosaurs' theme looms large, raising questions about the direction of the franchise.

It feels like déjà vu: yet another island teeming with dinosaurs. This time, it's not Isla Nublar or Isla Sorna but a mysterious third location, touted as "the research facility for the original Jurassic Park." This choice seems to contradict the established canon and reverts to the franchise's traditional setting of a tropical island isolated from civilization. Why revert to this familiar trope when the previous trilogy ended with dinosaurs roaming the globe? According to the official synopsis from Universal, "Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet's ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived."

This explanation feels like an unnecessary course correction. If the previous trilogy was setting up a literal Jurassic World, why abandon it now? Similarly, Dominion scaled back Fallen Kingdom's ending by confining most of the dinosaur action to a preserve in the Italian Alps. Now, Rebirth seems to discard the best new idea the series had in years—dinosaurs overrunning the world post-Fallen Kingdom. It's a puzzling creative decision, especially when trying to relaunch the brand with new characters and ideas while clinging to the same old formula.

Moreover, this direction doesn't align well with the established lore of the previous films. Dominion showcased dinosaurs thriving in various environments worldwide, from snowy regions to urban settings. If the global environment was so inhospitable, why did they seem unaffected in the last movie? The Malta chase scene, featuring carnivores rampaging through a city, was one of Dominion's most inventive sequences. Given the Jurassic franchise's proven success, why not take a bold step and explore new dimensions that could rejuvenate the series?

It's possible that Jurassic World Rebirth has more innovative elements up its sleeve than what's revealed in the trailer. There were even rumors that the movie's original title was Jurassic City, suggesting a different setting that might be deliberately concealed. Nonetheless, it's high time for the Jurassic franchise to move beyond the tropical island setting. While we're not suggesting a full-on Planet of the Apes-style dinosaur world (though that could be intriguing), there must be a middle ground where dinosaurs can be showcased in new and exciting environments. We'll have to wait and see how Jurassic World Rebirth unfolds, but we hope the franchise will embrace the opportunity to explore fresh territory rather than rehashing the old.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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