New images of Jurassic World 4: Rebirth

With "Jurassic World: Rebirth", the popular dinosaur franchise is finally returning to the big screen. Entertainment Weekly has now published a series of new images from the blockbuster.

This way, we can get a glimpse of the actors Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend in a jungle-like environment. Directed by Gareth Edwards, "Jurassic World 4" is set to return to the series' roots. This means real locations, a fresh story and new faces in the leading roles.

The film was shot in different locations including Thailand. According to Edwards, the geographical diversity, from dense mangrove swamps to rivers teeming with life, provided the perfect backdrop for a dinosaur movie. But the shooting was not without its dangers. Edwards talks about poisonous water snakes and giant spiders that regularly surprised the team.

The plot of "Rebirth" takes place five years after the events of "Jurassic World: Dominion". The prehistoric fauna is beginning to become extinct again – except for a small region in the tropics. The last dinosaurs have gathered there – and their genetic characteristics hold potential for modern medicine.

The main roles are played by Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett, a former CIA agent, Mahershala Ali as her loyal ally Duncan Kincaid, and Jonathan Bailey as paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis. The three characters form a dynamic trio that the director compares to the group of heroes in Steven Spielberg's "Jaws".

Edwards emphasizes that the new film is intended to recapture the essence of Spielberg's "Jurassic Park." While the previous films relied increasingly on computer graphics, this time the focus is on real effects and classic suspense elements. "Jurassic World 4" will be released in theaters on July 2, 2025.

The first three "Jurassic Park" films: The birth of an iconic film franchise

The Jurassic Park trilogy revolutionized blockbuster cinema in the 1990s and early 2000s. Directed by Steven Spielberg and later Joe Johnston, the films transported viewers to a world in which dinosaurs were brought to life through groundbreaking technology and thrilling storytelling. "Jurassic Park" (1993), "Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World" (1997) and "Jurassic Park 3" (2001) brought both captivating adventures and a deeper examination of science, ethics and the relationship between humans and nature to the screen.

"Jurassic Park" (1993): The dawn of a new era

Steven Spielberg's masterpiece "Jurassic Park" is based on the novel by Michael Crichton and remains a cinematic milestone to this day. The story revolves around eccentric billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), who has created a revolutionary theme park on Isla Nublar. There, his company InGen has brought dinosaurs back to life using the latest genetic engineering.

Hammond invites a team of experts, including paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and eccentric chaos theorist Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), to assess the park's security. But a sabotaging hacker (Wayne Knight) disables the security system, and the dinosaurs break out.

With a groundbreaking combination of animatronics and CGI, Spielberg set new standards for visual effects. The Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Velociraptors are still icons of movie monsters today. In addition to the breathtaking action and magnificent images, the film also highlights the moral and ethical dangers of human intervention in nature.

"Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World" (1997): A darker sequel

"Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World", again directed by Spielberg, returns to a familiar but distinctly darker world. The plot picks up four years after the events of the first film and reveals that there is a second island: Isla Sorna, a so-called "breeding island" where dinosaurs were bred. Dr. Ian Malcolm is persuaded by Hammond to lead a team to document the animals in their natural environment. At the same time, a rival organization is trying to capture the dinosaurs and bring them to San Diego to open a new theme park.

The film is more action-packed and unpredictable than its predecessor. Highlights include a scene in which a T-Rex destroys a camp and another in which it wreaks havoc in San Diego. Despite spectacular moments and a convincing performance by Jeff Goldblum, the sequel was criticized for lacking the emotional depth and innovative spirit of the first film. Nevertheless, the film set new standards for the portrayal of dinosaurs in films and was a commercial success.

"Jurassic Park 3" (2001): Back to basics

The third installment of the series, this time directed by Joe Johnston, returns to Isla Sorna with a more focused approach. Dr. Alan Grant is persuaded by a wealthy couple (William H. Macy and Téa Leoni) to accompany them on a supposedly harmless tour of the island. But the trip turns out to be a rescue mission: they are looking for their missing son, who is stranded on the island after a paragliding accident.

"Jurassic Park 3" is shorter and more action-oriented than its predecessors. New dinosaurs such as the Spinosaurus, which can even take on the T-Rex, provide fresh excitement. The use of velociraptors is also intensified, as they are portrayed as more intelligent and dangerous than ever before.

Although the film is less ambitious and focuses more on action than on philosophy or science, it offers gripping entertainment and some memorable scenes. The chase through the aviary, where flying dinosaurs like the Pteranodon pose a threat, is one of the highlights of the film.

The legacy of the original trilogy

The first three Jurassic Park films laid the foundation for an unparalleled movie franchise. Spielberg and his team created a world that continues to fascinate today. While the first film set new standards with its blend of suspense, science fiction and groundbreaking technology, the sequels expanded the universe and further developed the relationships between humans and dinosaurs.

The trilogy remains a pop culture masterpiece that continues to inspire viewers to this day. It has not only shaped the genre of adventure films, but also shown how far technology and creativity can push the boundaries of cinema.