2017 is upon us and as such, a number of buzzed-about tentpoles that aren't due out in theaters until the 6-7 months of 2018 have either just started filming or are on the verge of beginning principal photography. Marvel Studios is currently in-production on both Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War; Warner Bros. Pictures has films of both the DC Extended Universe variety (Aquaman) and other franchises movies based on popular intellectual properties (Tomb Raider) that are either in the final stages of pre-production and/or have started rolling camera; and Universal is gearing up to start shooting its own heavyweight 2018 release, in the form of Jurassic World 2.
The Jurassic World sequel is being scripted by Jurassic World director/co-writer Colin Trevorrow and his writing partner, Derek Connolly. However, the helm on the next Jurassic adventure is being handled by J.A. Bayona, a filmmaker known for such prestigious fare as the supernatural horror film The Orphanage, true story-inspired natural disaster drama The Impossible and most recently, the acclaimed novel adaptation A Monster Calls. Now Bayona is gearing up to start production on his own dino adventure for release next year.
It has long been reported that Jurassic World 2 (official title TBA) will begin filming in Hawaii near the end of February, at the earliest. However, it seems that Bayona may start production a bit sooner than was previously expected. Case in point: the director has posted the following image, teasing the start of filming on the Jurassic World sequel - along with the message of "Getting ready for the journey."
That Jurassic World 2 is going to begin filming sooner than later now, shouldn't come as a surprise to those who avidly follow each and every piece of news concerning the project. Casting updates for the Jurassic World sequel have been coming in faster and more frequently in recent months, with Daniella Pineda (The Detour), Justice Smith (The Get Down), Toby Jones (Sherlock) and Rafe Spall (Prometheus) reported to be among the sequel's new human additions. Jurassic World stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt are returning for the followup too, as is BD Wong: an actor who will have been appearing in Jurassic Park and/or Jurassic World movies for 25 years, by the time that Jurassic World 2 hits theaters in 2018.
25 years is a long time for any blockbuster franchise to still be going; for released reasons, most of the conversation around Jurassic World 2 so far has concerned what new ideas and material Bayona is bringing to the table on film (it being the fifth Jurassic movie overall). The Jurassic World 2 cast and crew have been careful to avoid dropping any specific details on how the film will stand apart from its predecessor, but they have emphasized a few general ideas over and over - namely, that the movie won't rehash the "dinosaur park breaks down" storyline of Jurassic Park and World, nor will it be so heavy on political commentary or "darkness" as to not be much fun to watch on the big screen.
Fortunately, with production on the Jurassic World sequel now slated to begin within a month (if not sooner), more concrete information on the project should be arriving soon. It's much too early to expect anything that revealing about the film, of course, but a simple plot synopsis and/or an official title announcement seem like a reasonable thing for fans to call for, at this stage.
NEXT: Jurassic World 2 Director Wants to Make a Superman Movie
Source: J.A. Bayona
