Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson star in “Jurassic World Rebirth,” a film that not only revives the beloved dinosaur franchise but also pays homage to its origins. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the movie is now captivating audiences in theaters worldwide. Edwards, known for his work on “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” recently shared insights with Business Insider about his experience directing a film that fulfilled a childhood dream: working closely with legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg, who directed the original “Jurassic Park,” played a significant role in the making of “Jurassic World Rebirth.” His involvement inspired Edwards to incorporate several nostalgic elements into the film, creating a cinematic love letter to the iconic director.
From Childhood Dream to Cinematic Reality
Many children dream of becoming police officers or doctors, but for Gareth Edwards, the aspiration was always to collaborate with Steven Spielberg. This ambition has now been realized with “Jurassic World Rebirth,” the latest installment in the dinosaur action saga. Edwards has carved a niche for himself in Hollywood by directing major blockbusters that are both commercially successful and creatively fulfilling.
After achieving “geek boy superstardom” with “Rogue One,” Edwards ventured into original storytelling with 2023’s “The Creator,” a film about a special forces agent tasked with taking down an AI. Now, with “Jurassic World Rebirth,” he returns to the world of legacy intellectual property, directing a story set decades after “Jurassic World Dominion.” The film, penned by “Jurassic Park” screenwriter David Koepp, follows Scarlett Johansson as she leads a team to a remote island research facility to collect genetic material from dinosaurs.
A Nostalgic Journey
Edwards’ collaboration with Spielberg was a dream come true, as Spielberg was deeply involved in the filmmaking process. This partnership is evident in the film’s numerous nods to Spielberg’s earlier works, including “Jurassic Park” and “Jaws.” Edwards explained, “I hate the word IP, but there are only two franchises I would absolutely drop everything for and just do them. I already did one of them with ‘Star Wars,’ and this was the other one.”
Edwards’ journey to directing “Jurassic World Rebirth” began serendipitously. After completing “The Creator,” he found himself revisiting scenes from “Jurassic Park” for inspiration. A chance discovery that Universal was seeking a director for a new “Jurassic” film set the wheels in motion. “Be careful what you wish for,” Edwards quipped, reflecting on the whirlwind that ensued.
Creating a Stand-Alone Story
One of the standout features of “Jurassic World Rebirth” is its ability to function as a stand-alone story, a quality Edwards attributes to Koepp’s script. “What the best sequels have in common is that the first one didn’t know it was part of a trilogy or the start of sequels. It was just this self-contained story,” Edwards noted. Despite the film’s potential for sequels, Edwards has not engaged in any discussions about a follow-up with Universal or the producers.
Spielberg’s Hands-On Approach
Spielberg’s influence on the film extended beyond mere inspiration. He was actively involved from the story development phase through to post-production, providing feedback and guidance. “Steven developed the story with David, so he was fully engaged from the start,” Edwards revealed. “He was in the meetings during preproduction. He would call me when I started shooting. He watched the dailies every day.”
Edwards compared his experiences working with Spielberg and George Lucas, noting the unique dynamics with each filmmaker. While Lucas had retired by the time “Rogue One” was in production, Spielberg was a constant presence throughout the making of “Jurassic World Rebirth.”
Reflecting on “Rogue One” and Future Projects
As “Rogue One” approaches its 10th anniversary, Edwards remains humble about his contribution to the “Star Wars” universe. Despite the film’s critical acclaim, he is more focused on the long-term impact of his work. “It’s not about how people feel the day it gets released, it’s how people feel about it 10, 20 years from now,” he said.
While Edwards remains fascinated by the “Star Wars” franchise, he is content to explore new creative avenues. “I’m always fascinated by what they’re doing. I never stop loving that trilogy, but I’m very happy to move on and do my thing,” he remarked.
As “Jurassic World Rebirth” continues to draw audiences, Edwards’ journey from a Spielberg admirer to a collaborator serves as a testament to the power of dreams and the enduring allure of cinematic storytelling.