Next Jurassic World Movie Could Star Two-Time Oscar-Winner Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali is in talks to star in the next Jurassic World movie, according to a story from The Hollywood Reporter. Ali, a two-time Oscar-winning actor known for his roles in Moonlight and Green Book, would join Scarlett Johansson, Rupert Friend, Jonathan Bailey, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in the film.

Shooting is expected to begin this June in London, with Gareth Edwards (Rogue One, Godzilla) directing. If that timeline is indeed accurate, it’s expected that Universal would officially announce the cast for the film soon.

There is no word yet on the story for the next Jurassic World film, but Jurassic Park’s original screenwriter, David Koepp, is coming back for the new film. Steven Spielberg, who directed the first two Jurassic Park films in the ’90s, is coming back as an executive producer.

The new Jurassic World movie, which doesn’t have a title yet, is set for release on July 2, 2025. Ali is also set to star as the title character in the Marvel movie Blade, which is set for release in November 2025. That film has undergone some behind-the-scenes changes, and many are wondering if Marvel will stick with the 2025 release or push the film further out.

After the original three Jurassic Park movies, Universal brought the series back in 2015 with Jurassic World, which was followed by Fallen Kingdom (2018) and Dominion (2022). Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard starred in those movies, but they’re not expected to come back for the next one. Also not lined up to appear are the original trilogy’s stars, including Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern.