Jurassic World 5 Needs a New Director — And a Former Star Could Be the Perfect Choice!
The Jurassic World 5 director search has reportedly begun, creating a major change behind the scenes of the next dinosaur adventure. While Universal Pictures already has plans for the sequel, the project now needs a filmmaker who can take the franchise into its next chapter.
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That change also raises an exciting question: who should step into the director’s chair?
Several familiar names could potentially return to the franchise. However, there is another option that could make even more sense. One former Jurassic World star already knows the world, characters, and tone of the franchise while also building an impressive directing career.
Could Bryce Dallas Howard be the right choice for Jurassic World 5?
Jurassic World 5 Is Looking for a New Director
Jurassic World 5 is reportedly searching for a new director after Gareth Edwards departed the project. According to reports, the filmmaker left because of “creative differences.”
Universal, however, praised its previous collaboration with Edwards. In a statement reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the studio said it had an “incredible experience” working with him on Jurassic World Rebirth.
Therefore, Edwards’ departure does not appear to erase the studio’s plans for the sequel. Instead, Universal now needs to find another filmmaker who can continue the franchise.
Why Gareth Edwards Left Jurassic World 5?
Edwards directed Jurassic World Rebirth, which arrived in 2025 as a soft reboot of the long-running dinosaur franchise.
The movie introduced a new central cast led by Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. It also helped refresh the series after the conclusion of the previous Jurassic World trilogy.
Although Edwards will reportedly not return for the next installment, his work on Rebirth gives Universal a recent creative blueprint for the franchise.
Now, the studio must decide whether to follow that direction or take the series somewhere completely different.
Jurassic World Rebirth Set Up the Sequel
Jurassic World Rebirth proved that audiences were still interested in returning to the dinosaur-filled world.
The movie reportedly earned $872 million worldwide, giving Universal a strong reason to move ahead with another installment.
As a result, the studio quickly began developing a sequel. Steven Koepp is expected to return to write the screenplay, while Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali are also expected to return.
However, the sequel’s complete cast has not yet been finalized.
Universal is reportedly targeting 2027 to begin filming Jurassic World 5. That timeline makes the director search especially important because the studio will need to lock down its filmmaker before production begins.
Who Could Direct Jurassic World 5?
With Edwards out of the picture, several familiar names could potentially return to the franchise.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg remains one of the most important creative figures in the Jurassic Park franchise. However, a full return to the director’s chair appears unlikely.
Spielberg directed the original Jurassic Park and its 1997 sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park. His involvement remains significant, but directing another installment would be a major commitment.
Colin Trevorrow
Colin Trevorrow is another obvious possibility.
Trevorrow directed Jurassic World and later returned to direct Jurassic World Dominion. Because he already understands the modern franchise, he could potentially provide continuity for the next chapter.
J.A. Bayona
J.A. Bayona also has strong franchise experience. He directed Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, bringing a darker and more suspenseful style to the dinosaur series.
His return could give Jurassic World 5 a different visual identity while still keeping it connected to the established franchise.
Could Bryce Dallas Howard Direct Jurassic World 5?
However, Universal could also look beyond the franchise’s previous directors.
Bryce Dallas Howard stands out as an especially interesting choice.
Howard starred as Claire Dearing throughout the Jurassic World trilogy. Therefore, she already understands the franchise from an unusual perspective. She has spent years working with its characters, dinosaurs, filmmakers, and large-scale productions.
More importantly, Howard is not new to directing.
Howard Already Knows the Jurassic World Franchise
Howard appeared in three Jurassic World movies, giving her extensive experience with the franchise.
That experience could become a major advantage behind the camera.
She understands what makes the series work. She also knows how the franchise balances massive dinosaur action with character-driven storytelling.
Furthermore, her experience as an actor could help her communicate effectively with the performers in the next movie.
Of course, starring in a franchise does not automatically make someone ready to direct a major blockbuster. However, Howard has already taken important steps toward becoming an established filmmaker.
Her Star Wars Directing Experience Could Help
Howard has directed several documentaries, including Dads and Pets. She has also built substantial television directing experience within the Star Wars universe.
Her directing credits include episodes of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Tales of the Jedi, Skeleton Crew, and Ahsoka.
That experience is particularly relevant because these projects require filmmakers to work within established franchises while handling large-scale production.
In addition, her Star Wars work has given Howard experience with visual effects, action sequences, complicated production environments, and cinematic storytelling.
Those skills could translate well to a major dinosaur adventure.
What Bryce Dallas Howard Could Bring to Jurassic World 5?
If Howard takes over Jurassic World 5, she could bring a fresh perspective to the franchise.
First, her knowledge of the series would allow her to understand its history without starting from scratch. At the same time, her directing work outside the franchise could help her introduce a new visual style.
Moreover, Howard could offer a different approach to the characters.
Because she has experienced the franchise both in front of and behind the camera, she understands the challenges of blockbuster filmmaking from multiple perspectives.
That combination could make her an intriguing choice for Universal.
Jurassic World 5 Could Make History With a New Director
There is another reason Howard’s potential involvement would be significant.
If Universal hired Bryce Dallas Howard to direct Jurassic World 5, she would reportedly become the first woman to direct a movie in the Jurassic Park/Jurassic World franchise.
That would make the decision historically important while also giving the series an opportunity to explore a new creative direction.
For now, Universal has not officially confirmed its next director. The studio still has several options, and the search could continue as the sequel moves toward production.
Still, Howard feels like a particularly exciting possibility.
She knows the franchise. She has directed major television projects. She understands large-scale productions. Most importantly, she could bring a fresh voice to a series that has already gone through several creative eras.
Jurassic World 5 may have lost its director, but that could also give Universal an opportunity to make an unexpected choice. And if the studio wants to take the franchise in a bold new direction, perhaps it should look no further than one of its former stars.
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