Gareth Edwards Channels Spielberg’s Jurassic Wonder in World Rebirth
I suppose you need me to spell this out: Gareth Edwards, the British filmmaker behind Jurassic World Rebirth, went to extraordinary lengths to salute Steven Spielberg’s 1993 classic, Jurassic Park. If you haven’t heard, Edwards—now a close friend of Spielberg—was handed the follow-up script by none other than Mr. Spielberg himself, in his capacity as executive producer (E! News exclusively reported). Naturally, Edwards treated this as a once-in-a-lifetime honor, even joking that accepting the assignment felt “sacrilegious” until Spielberg assured him it was absolutely the right call.
Edwards recently confided to E! News’ Erin Lim Rhodes that turning each page of David Koepp’s script felt like “its own mini movie” in homage to Spielberg’s original work. Every set-piece encounter, he explained, paid direct tribute to key moments that sent him to film school at age 17—when Jurassic Park first roared onto screens. Think of tense raptor chases, awe-inspiring dinosaur reveals and that trademark Spielberg pacing, all reimagined with modern effects but the same heartbeat.
The director admitted that collaboration with Spielberg lifted any trepidation: “I call him Steven now, we’re close friends,” Edwards quipped, underscoring how surreal it is to share creative vision sessions with the man who inspired his career. He confessed feeling like Marty McFly in Back to the Future, half-expecting to wake up and find the whole project was an illusion. Yet with Spielberg’s blessing—detailed in Universal Pictures’ and NBCUniversal press notes—Edwards felt empowered to infuse fresh energy while safeguarding the franchise’s DNA.
Edwards also revealed his “selfish” aim: to recreate the spine-tingling wonder he first experienced in theaters for a new generation. His goal? To take “kids and big kids on that rollercoaster ride,” he told E! News. By weaving Spielberg-style suspense and heart into every scene—complete with sweeping orchestral cues reminiscent of John Williams—Edwards crafted a film that functions as both a sequel and a love letter to Spielberg’s vision.
As the July 2 release date approaches, the Jurassic World Rebirth premiere in New York saw Edwards flanked by franchise producer Frank Marshall and stars like Mahershala Ali and Luna Blaise, who all echoed his respect for Spielberg’s influence. This reverent approach not only cements the film’s connection to its origins but also proves that modern blockbusters can honor their roots without feeling stale.
There you have it: a director who respects the source material, a living legend who trusts him, and a script designed to rekindle the blockbuster magic. Glad I could clear that up for you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Universal Pictures
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
