Jurassic fans, the wait is over! Universal has officially dropped a first look at Jurassic World Rebirth. This new installment in the dino-packed franchise promises to deliver the fear, action, and cinematic spectacle we’ve come to associate with the Jurassic series.
Thanks to exclusive sneak peeks from Vanity Fair, we now have gorgeous images of new (and terrifying) dinosaurs, along with a trio of fresh characters ready to face the jaws of danger. Couple that with a brief teaser highlighting the intense tone of the film, and it’s clear that Jurassic World Rebirth is set to go bigger and scarier than anything we’ve seen before.
Curious to know what’s coming your way? Here’s everything we’ve learned so far about the upcoming dino spectacle.
A Return to Fear in Jurassic World Rebirth
When it comes to dinosaurs, the initial reactions have always been awe and wonder. But producer Frank Marshall says Rebirth is reclaiming something the series has leaned away from in recent years—pure fear.
Set five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion (2022), Rebirth presents a world where dinosaurs have been relegated to isolated equatorial environments due to inhospitable global climates. While this might seem like a safer situation for humanity, the new biospheres house something far more terrifying than what we’ve seen before.
According to Marshall, these are not the dinosaurs we’ve come to know. The beasts in Rebirth are “genetic mutations” — larger, more aggressive, and, in some cases, more nightmarish than nature intended. “These are the dinosaurs that didn’t work,” he teased in Vanity Fair. “They’re all based on real dinosaur research, but they look a little different.”
Meet the New Heroes
Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey lead the starring roles in Rebirth, stepping into the chaos as daring new characters tasked with a dangerous mission.
- Scarlett Johansson plays Zora Bennett, a special operative with an altruistic mission. She leads a recovery team sent to obtain dinosaur DNA that could lead to groundbreaking medical advancements—think curing heart disease. However, the bounty she seeks comes with perilous strings attached.
- Mahershala Ali stars as Duncan Kincaid, a logistics expert with a h
aunted past. Ali’s portrayal hints at a gritty, complex character who, despite his scars, is willing to face great risks for the mission.
- Jonathan Bailey, known for his roles in Bridgerton and Wicked, plays paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis. His deep respect for the natural world fuels his actions, but it might also leave him vulnerable. Aboard this mission, curiosity and fascination could be just as dangerous as the creatures looming in the jungle.
This trio brings fresh chemistry to the screen while recapturing the human connection that made the original Jurassic Park so memorable.
Creature Features Gone Wild
Director Gareth Edwards (known for Rogue One and Godzilla) is pulling out all the stops when it comes to creature design. Using classic horror and sci-fi inspirations, Edwards merges elements from Spielberg’s original dinosaurs with nods to monsters like the Xenomorph from Alien and the Rancor from Return of the Jedi. One specific dinosaur in the trailer stands out for embodying this horrifying fusion—sharp skeletal designs paired with predatory instincts enhance its terror.
But don’t think this film is abandoning the majesty of its prehistoric stars. There’s a clear balance between awe, homage to previous films, and fresh cinematic ideas to keep audiences riveted.
The Vanity Fair exclusive also teased a sequence long-time fans will appreciate—a callback to an unused scene from Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park novel. It involves a crocodile-like T. rex stalking its prey underwater. This reference to Crichton’s original work could add a nostalgic touch while serving as a darker, more intense addition to the franchise.
Tension-Filled Storytelling
The most effective monster movies are the ones where you care about the people in peril. And if there’s one thing Jurassic World Rebirth aims to do, it’s create meaningful stakes for its characters.
Zora leads her team to a jungle-cloaked island—a no-go zone filled with dangerous creatures. Their mission isn’t just about survival; it’s about ethics. The promise of finding a cure for deadly illnesses might justify taking risks, but what price is too high?
Producer Frank Marshall notes this isn’t just a battle between humans and dinosaurs—it’s about grappling with our own hubris as a species. Humanity’s forward progress is once again at odds with the natural world, a theme tied directly to the moral core of the franchise.
The Teaser & What’s Next
The teaser packs a chilling punch without showing too much, ensuring fans are left clamoring for more. The cryptic tagline, “Something is coming,” and quick glimpses of dinosaurs stalking through ominous foliage, seem designed to spike our adrenaline. Oh, and don’t forget the intense stare-off between Johansson’s Zora Bennett and a shadowy dinosaur figure—we have chills.
Mark your calendars for February 5, when Universal will unveil the first full-length Jurassic World Rebirth trailer. What’s in store? More terrifying dinosaurs, heart-pumping action, and—fingers crossed—deeper insights into this new chapter in the franchise.
Until then, why not revisit our detailed breakdown of the first teaser on Famous Monsters? Read it here.
