Jurassic World 2is getting very near production and now that directorJ.A. Bayonais free of his promotional duties forA Monster Calls, he can pour all of his focus into the highly-anticipated sequel. As production nears, more of the puzzle is falling into place. Today, we’ve learned who one of the new cast members will be. ActressDaniella Pineda, who is probably best known for her work on the TBS comedyThe Detour, has reportedly been cast as one of the new leads in this follow-up to the 2015 blockbuster.
Varietybroke the news thatDaniella Pinedahas joined the growing cast forJurassic World 2, but unfortunately, there wasn’t any word on who she is playing or what exactly her role will be. The report did note that she will have a “key role” in the follow up toJurassic World, so it seems like she will be much more than just a fluffy supporting character or raptor food. She could definitely still be T-Rex prey, but it appears she would be pretty important prey, if that winds up being the case.
As of right now, the only cast members fromJurassic Worldthat have been confirmed to return areChris PrattandBryce Dallas Howard. Recently,Jurassic World 2also brought onRafe Spall,Toby JonesandThe Get DownstarJustice Smith, all of whose roles are also shrouded in mystery at the moment. For now, Universal is remaining very tight-lipped on the details. The only other word we have had in terms of casting forJurassic World 2came in the form of a casting call that was for a character named Lucy, a 9-year-old who will reportedly be another key figure in the upcomingDinosaur sequel. There is still no word onTy SimpkinsandNick Robinson, who played the two brothers inJurassic World, and their potential return.
Outside of the casting ofDaniella Pinedaand the other new additions, we do know a few additional things aboutJurassic World 2. We know that some filming will take place in Hawaii, meaning there will be some classic dinosaur island action. ButJurassic WorlddirectorColin Trevorrow, who is writing and producingJurassic World 2and handing over directing duties toJ.A. Bayona, has promised that this movie will progress the story and not just be dinosaurs chasing people around an island. DirectorJ. A. Bayona, for his part, has revealed that the movie will be “darker” and “scarier” than its predecessor. He has also said that the movie will deal with the concept of animal abuse, using the dinosaurs as a way to mirror our treatment of animals in the real world. It has also been said that there will be more animatronics in the sequel, which is something that should excite long-time fans of theJurassic Park franchise.
The firstJurassic Worldbecame one of the most successful movies of all-time, grossing $1.67 billion worldwide. That exceeded even the wildest expectations anyone had, especially considering the franchise had been dormant for 14 years after the negative reception toJurassic Park III.Jurassic World 2will now be the second part of a trilogy that Universal and Legendary Pictures are now planning, given the success that the fourth installment of theJurassic Parkfranchise enjoyed.Jurassic World 2is expected to start filming next month and is scheduled hit theaters on June 24, 2025.
