With Jurassic World Rebirth leaving longtime fans of the franchise divided but grossing more than $860 million globally, the next chapter in the Jurassic franchise could take some bold swings. While another film, which would be the eighth Jurassic, is yet to be confirmed by Universal Pictures, reports suggest that one is already in development, with director Gareth Edwards and the cast, including Scarlett Johansson, in talks to return.
But where could things go from here? We’ve had new islands, dinosaur hybrids, dinosaurs going global, mutant dinos. Here are four possibilities you probably never considered.
1. Human‑Dinosaur Hybrids
The final scene in Jurassic World Rebirth shows survivors Zora Bennett (Johansson), Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), and the Delgado family leaving InGen’s third island, Ile Saint-Hubert, with Dolores, a mutant Aquilops, and genetic material from three massive dinosaurs linked to a heart‑disease cure.
Could a disease be unleashed upon the human race in the next film, turning some into those human‑dinosaur hybrids from that lost Jurassic Park 4 script? It would certainly raise the stakes while also continuing with the franchise’s overarching theme of “life finding a way”. On the other hand, it would definitely alienate fans who prefer traditional dinosaurs.
2. Mutant Virus Outbreak
The genetic material could also trigger a virus, creating a pandemic scenario reminiscent of 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
The stakes would be global rather than island-bound like most of the Jurassic films, bringing audiences back to the worldwide threats established in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022). It could also resonate with audiences seeing as almost everyone in the world has already experienced a real-world pandemic.
Related: ‘Jurassic Park’ Update Will Change Original 1993 Film Forever | Disney Dining
3. Going Into Space
An even bolder swing could take dinosaurs off-planet.
With prehistorical genetic material now available everywhere, InGen or a rival corporations like Biosyn and Mantah Corp (as seen in the animated show Camp Cretaceous) might experiment in zero-gravity environments or on a space station to create terrifying new breeds. It sounds absolutely, positively ridiculous, but Universal’s other multi-movie franchise Fast & Furious has already entered the cosmos.
One of many major downsides to an intergalactic prehistoric spectacle would be the risk of straying too far from the series’ grounded roots. Literally.
4. Further Exploring Ile Saint-Hubert
The third InGen island, Ile Saint-Hubert, was barely explained or explored in the latest film. In a sequel, however, it could serve as the basis for a more story-rich adventure. Hidden ecosystems, mutant dinosaur populations, and InGen’s secret experiments could finally be explored in depth rather than serving a mediocre, cat-and-mouse plot.
It would also allow for better continuity and world-building, although there’s a risk fans would view it as a “been there, done that” re-tread.
Whether the next movie leans into human-dino hybrids, space-based experiments, or Planet of the Apes-level stakes, the series is definitely primed to become even wilder.
Jurassic World Rebirth stars Scarlett Johansson (Avengers: Endgame), Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Lincoln Lawyer), Rupert Friend (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Mahershala Ali (The Green Book), Luna Blaise (Manifest), David Iacono (Dead Boy Detectives), Audrina Miranda (Lopez vs Lopez), Philippine Velge (Station Eleven), Bechir Sylvain (BMF), and Ed Skrein (Deadpool).
How would you feel about seeing human-dino hybrids in the Jurassic franchise? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
