Following reports suggesting Dev Patel might be joining Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic City, more names are now in the casting mix.
Watching the film that may or may not be called Jurassic City come together in double quick time has been a fun process to observe. First David Leitch was directing, then he was out due to ‘creative differences’. Then, Gareth Edwards, the filmmaker behind Rogue One and The Creator was in, working on a script by original Jurassic Park writer, David Koepp.
Since then, Scarlett Johansson and Dev Patel are both rumoured to have signed up for the project which, unbelievably, is set to arrive in cinemas next summer.
While huge productions like this one aren’t well known for coming together quickly and then going on to be brilliant, we’re heartened by the stories that originally circulated suggesting that Universal was looking to fast track this production based on high levels of satisfaction with Koepp’s script.
Anyway, as that summer shoot as Sky Studios Elstree here in the UK looms, we’ve heard two more casting rumours to add to the mix.
Firstly, Deadline is reporting that Jonathan Bailey is in talks for a leading role in the production. Bailey has appeared in the likes of Bridgerton and Broadchurch and most recently picked up acclaim for his turn in the TV drama, Fellow Travelers.
Read more: Jurassic City | Gareth Edwards’ Jurassic Park sequel could bring his filmmaking career full-circle
Whether Bailey’s casting in a lead role means we won’t be seeing Dev Patel after all we don’t know, but hopefully that’s not the case.
The other story comes to us via World Of Reel, with that outlet claiming that Colman Domingo is in line to play the film’s villain. Domingo is currently in demand following an Oscar-nominated turn in last year’s Rustin. This feels like inspired casting and despite the rather hurried timeline, is another smart step for a franchise reboot that was in serious need of a creative refresh.
Sooner rather than later we’re going to be able to confirm lots of these details, so rest assured we’ll let you know when Universal makes an official announcement regarding the film.
