Jurassic World: Rebirth's First Trailer: A Prehistoric Step Backwards?

The first trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth, the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, has arrived. This new chapter, helmed by Gareth Edwards and featuring a fresh cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali (with the return of original screenwriter David Koepp), marks a "new era" following the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard trilogy. However, the trailer suggests a potential misstep. Where is the globally dispersed dinosaur world promised in Fallen Kingdom and teased again in Dominion?

A Return to Familiar Territory

Despite a mixed critical reception for the Jurassic World trilogy, the franchise remains a consistent box office powerhouse. Universal's decision to assemble a new cast and crew, notably director Gareth Edwards (known for his visual scale in films like Godzilla and Rogue One), was a strategic move. Edwards' expertise in CGI and visual effects promises a visually impressive film, and the trailer showcases stunning dinosaur animation. While the new cast remains largely unproven, the action sequences look promising, and ample dinosaur screen time is evident—a welcome change from some previous installments.

However, a significant concern overshadows the trailer's positive aspects: the apparent abandonment of the "world of dinosaurs" concept established in Fallen Kingdom.

Who's the best Jurassic hero character?

Alan Grant (Sam Neill)Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern)Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum)Owen Grady (Chris Pratt)Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard)I haven't seen Rebirth yet but I'm voting for Scarlett Johansson already.Other (Tell us in the comments.)AnswerSee ResultsIsland Redux?

The film appears to return to the familiar trope of a dinosaur-infested island—a seemingly new location described as the original Jurassic Park research facility. This contradicts previous canon and represents a step back, particularly given the previous trilogy's conclusion showing dinosaurs globally dispersed. The official synopsis suggests that the planet's ecology is unsuitable for most dinosaurs, confining them to isolated equatorial environments.

This feels like an unnecessary retcon. Why establish a global Jurassic World only to abandon it? Similar to Dominion's reversal of Fallen Kingdom's ending, Rebirth seems to discard the series' most innovative concept: the global dinosaur population. This creative choice undermines the film's intended relaunch with new characters and ideas. The established lore is also inconsistent; Dominion depicted dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments, contradicting Rebirth's premise.

The Jurassic franchise's consistent success makes it a low-risk venture for Hollywood. However, this safety net shouldn't stifle creative risk-taking. The potential for exploring new environments and storylines remains untapped.

While Rebirth might have undisclosed surprises, the trailer's focus on a familiar island setting is disappointing. The rumored original title, Jurassic City, hints at a potentially different setting deliberately omitted from the trailer. Regardless, it's time for the franchise to move beyond the tired island motif. While not necessarily requiring a Planet of the Apes-style approach, a middle ground allowing for diverse dinosaur habitats is long overdue. The hope is that Jurassic World: Rebirth will finally prioritize innovation over rehashing familiar tropes.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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