Scarlett Johansson calls ‘rebirth’ a ‘love letter’ to first, original ‘Jurassic Park’ movie

Scarlett Johansson turned heads in a stunning pink dress as she joined the cast and crew of Jurassic World Rebirth at its world premiere in London. The event took place at the Odeon Luxe cinema in Leicester Square, where a green carpet welcomed the film’s stars, director Gareth Edwards, and a familiar face from the franchise, an animatronic dinosaur named Delores.

The actress shared her thoughts about the new chapter in the Jurassic saga, describing it as a return to the franchise’s roots. 

“So I think it really is a love letter to Steven’s work,” Johansson said. “Fans of the Jurassic universe can expect to really feel the DNA of the original Jurassic Park in this film.”

Alongside Johansson, the premiere saw appearances from Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Ed Skrein, and screenwriter David Koepp — who also wrote the original Jurassic Park. 

Producer Frank Marshall, composer Alexandre Desplat, and Universal executives Donna Langley and Peter Cramer were also in attendance.

Jonathan Bailey expressed a personal connection to the film, sharing that it brought back special memories. 

“It’s beyond a dream. Jurassic Park was the first film I saw with my family when I was five years old, and they’re all inside so we’re going to sit and watch it today,” he said. 

Bailey also revealed that he had a hand in the movie’s music. 

“Going to Abbey Road with a 105-piece orchestra of world class professional musicians, playing the John Williams score but also Alexandre Desplat’s score was incredible, it was completely out of body,” he said. 

Although he didn’t mention the instrument he played, Bailey is known to be a talented clarinetist.

Director Gareth Edwards, returning to a major franchise for the first time since Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, recalled how the project first came to his attention.

“She sent me a text which was a news article about Universal looking for a director for Jurassic and as I carried on the call I just copied and pasted it and sent it to my agent and wrote ‘Is this stupid?’” he said. 

“And we’re going to find out the answer tonight.”

Before the screening, Edwards introduced the full cast and expressed gratitude to the film’s crew. Realizing afterward that he had forgotten to thank two key people, Universal chair Langey and president Cramer, he rushed back on stage. 

“Oh my god, I nearly ended my career!” he said, laughing. “I honestly thought you guys were in America!”

Jurassic World: Rebirth picks up five years after the events of Jurassic World: Dominion, exploring a world where most dinosaurs now live in isolated tropical zones. The film centers on three massive dinosaurs whose genetic makeup may offer a breakthrough in developing a life-saving drug.

The much-anticipated movie is set to hit theaters on July 2.