Colin Trevorrow has given an update on Jurassic World , and has confirmed that none of the original leads will be returning to the franchise for one last outing.
“I know a lot of fans want to see the original characters back,” says Trevorrow. “They’re iconic. But I respect those actors too much to shoehorn them into this story for my own sentimental reasons. Jurassic Park isn’t about the bad luck of three people who keep getting thrown into the same situation.”
The only reason they’d go back to that island is if the screenwriters contrived a reason for them to go. But there is a character from the first film who makes sense in our world. This hasn’t been announced yet, but BD Wong will be returning as Dr. Henry Wu.”
“He had a much larger role in the original novel, he was the engineer of this breakthrough in de-extinction. He spent two decades living in Hammond’s shadow, underappreciated. We think there’s more to his story.”
As for the new characters, Trevorrow explains that Chris Pratt will step into the Sam Neill role as the rugged pragmatist charged with keeping the group alive.
“He’s a classic hero in a very modern context,” explains the director. “He’s the guy who will get you through the jungle alive – but like Malcolm, Grant and Sattler, he’s an expert in a scientific field that’s connected to our story.”
“The character allows us to explore some new ideas about our relationship with these animals, without losing the humour and sense of adventure. He’s a great contrast for Bryce Dallas Howard’s character, who starts off very corporate, very controlled. Until the running and screaming starts.”
Co-starring Vincent D’Onofrio, Irrfan Khan, Nick Robinson and Ty Simpkins, Jurassic World will open in the UK on 12 June 2015.
