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Welcome to Jurassic World, Rupert Friend. The British actor, best known for his roles in the Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi and Wes Anderson films such as The French Dispatch, has joined the latest entry in the dino-centric franchise. This, according to the folks at The Hollywood Reporter, who bring word that Friend is the latest actor to join the ensemble of the currently untitled Jurassic film, which is gearing up to begin filming next month in London.
Plot details for the film currently remain under wraps, but Friend joins a cast that will be headlined by Scarlett Johansson (Avengers: Endgame). The two previously shared the screen in last year’s Asteroid City. Character details are also being kept secretive at this time, but none of the characters from the previous films are expected to return. The ensemble also currently includes Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Lincoln Lawyer) and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton).
Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, The Creator) is set to direct the new Jurassic World film. It will be the first entry in the series since 2022’s Dominion, which wrapped up the trilogy that began in 2015. The expectation is that this will kick off a new potential trilogy elsewhere in the timeline. Rather intriguingly, David Koepp, who penned the original Jurassic Park, returned to write the screenplay for this latest installment. Franchise shepherds Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley are on board to produce, with Steven Spielberg executive producing.
It’s Friend’s biggest role in a film franchise to date, though he is part of the Star Wars universe on the small screen. Friend has a lot on the horizon, as he is also set to star in the sci-fi thriller Companion, which is produced by Barbarian director Zach Cregger and is due out next year. He also has the action/thriller Canary Black in the can, which co-stars Kate Beckinsale.
Universal Pictures seems very bullish on this new entry in the long-running franchise. We only first learned about the project at the beginning of the year, but it has been spedding right along ever since. Edwards will have his work cut out for him though, as the film is set to arrive next summer, making for a tight turnaround. Life finds a way, as it were.
The new Jurassic World movie is currently set to hit theaters on July 2, 2025. For more, check out our interview with Jurassic World Dominion puppeteer Derek Arnold.
