When a franchise has been running for as long as Jurassic Park, the cast list is often the first sign of whether the story is moving forward or staying put. For Jurassic World Rebirth, the list of actors is almost entirely new — and the absence of Chris Pratt is the loudest clue that this isn’t a simple sequel. Here’s who’s in, who’s out, and what the fresh faces tell us about where the dinosaur saga is headed.

Lead actress: Scarlett Johansson ·
Co-stars: Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ed Skrein ·
Number of main cast members: 6 ·
Film franchise: Jurassic Park / World

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
Key facts about Jurassic World Rebirth cast
Fact Value
Film title Jurassic World Rebirth
Release year 2025 (projected)
Director Not yet announced
Lead actress Scarlett Johansson
Number of main cast 6 (as per Wikipedia)
Franchise basis Characters by Michael Crichton

The table confirms that the franchise is building around a fresh lineup rather than relying on familiar faces.

Why is Chris Pratt not in Jurassic World Rebirth?

Chris Pratt played Owen Grady in the three Jurassic World films from 2015 to 2022. His absence from Rebirth is the single biggest casting surprise. The official cast list released by Peacock TV (streaming guide) does not include his name, and IMDb (film database) confirms no Owen Grady credit.

Official statements from Universal Pictures

  • Universal Pictures has described Rebirth as a “new chapter” focusing on a fresh set of characters, moving away from the previous trilogy’s protagonists (Wikipedia, encyclopedia entry).
  • No specific statement about Pratt’s departure has been issued, but the studio’s emphasis on a “clean slate” suggests a deliberate narrative reset.

The implication: The franchise is betting that a completely new ensemble can carry the story, rather than leaning on legacy star power.

Plot reasons for Owen Grady’s absence

  • Details about the plot are scarce, but early reports indicate the story follows a different team of scientists and mercenaries on a mission unrelated to the events of Dominion (Rotten Tomatoes, review aggregator).
  • Owen Grady’s storyline concluded with his family reuniting in Dominion, making a natural exit point.

The pattern: Major franchises often rotate casts after a trilogy to keep the mythology fresh — think Star Wars moving from the Skywalker saga to new eras.

Comparison with other legacy cast changes in the franchise

  • The original Jurassic Park trilogy had a different lead scientist (Sam Neill, then Jeff Goldblum, then Sam Neill again).
  • Jurassic World (2015) introduced entirely new characters, keeping only the park concept.
  • Chris Pratt’s departure follows the same logic: each era of the franchise features a new set of human faces.

Why this matters: For fans who loved Owen Grady, the absence signals that Rebirth is not a direct sequel but a soft reboot, allowing new audiences to jump in without needing the backstory.

Owen Grady’s exit means Chris Pratt’s star power is gone, forcing the new cast to prove they can anchor the franchise alone.

Who is the girl in the new Jurassic movie?

The leading female role in Jurassic World Rebirth is Zora Bennett, played by Scarlett Johansson. This marks Johansson’s first major franchise role since her Marvel exit.

Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett

  • Zora Bennett is described as a skilled operative leading a team on a dangerous mission (Peacock TV, official streaming guide).
  • Johansson’s casting was announced in early 2024, generating significant buzz.

The trade-off: Johansson brings star power and box-office draw, but her character is entirely new, meaning the film doesn’t rely on nostalgia for its female lead.

Character details and role in the plot

  • Zora Bennett is not a scientist or a park employee — she’s a field expert, a departure from the franchise’s usual paleontologist or dinosaur trainer archetypes.
  • She leads a team that includes Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) and Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey).

The angle: The franchise is shifting from “dinosaurs in a park” to a tactical mission narrative, aligning with modern action-thriller conventions.

Casting announcement context

  • Johansson’s role was confirmed by multiple sources including IMDb (film page) and Peacock TV (streaming guide).
  • She joins a cast that is notably diverse in both background and character type, suggesting a wider narrative scope.
Scarlett Johansson as Zora Bennett marks a shift from lab coats to combat gear, betting that action-hero energy can replace franchise nostalgia.

Who dies in Jurassic World Rebirth?

No official information about character deaths has been released before the film’s premiere. Any claims about deaths are speculative until the film is released.

No confirmed deaths before release

  • The studio has not released any plot details that would confirm character fatalities (Wikipedia, encyclopedia entry).
  • Trailers and promotional materials have not shown any death scenes.

The catch: Jurassic World Rebirth is a soft reboot, so killing off legacy characters would be counterproductive if the intent is to start fresh.

Speculation based on trailers and set reports

  • Some fan forums speculate that a character played by Ed Skrein (Bobby Atwater) might be a villain who meets a dinosaur-related end.
  • No set reports or leaked images have confirmed any deaths.

The pattern: In the Jurassic franchise, major cast deaths are rare and usually reserved for villains or supporting characters.

Importance of avoiding spoilers

  • Universal Pictures has not released an official synopsis, making death speculation premature.
  • Respecting the film’s secrecy ensures that viewers experience the story as intended.
Without confirmed deaths, the secrecy around Rebirth means every character remains a potential target — a tactic that keeps audiences guessing until opening night.

Who turned down a role in Jurassic Park?

Several actors declined roles in the original 1993 film, and their reasons offer a fascinating glimpse into Hollywood’s relationship with the dinosaur franchise.

Actors who declined roles in the original 1993 film

  • Robin Williams was offered the role of Alan Grant but turned it down to focus on Mrs. Doubtfire (Wikipedia, film page).
  • Harrison Ford was also approached for the lead but declined, citing the script’s lack of character depth.
  • Jim Carrey reportedly passed on the role of Dennis Nedry.

The implication: The original Jurassic Park cast could have looked very different, but the actors who eventually took the parts became iconic.

Why they passed on the iconic roles

  • Robin Williams wanted to avoid being typecast in a blockbuster.
  • Harrison Ford was already committed to The Fugitive.
  • Jim Carrey’s schedule conflicted with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

The trade-off: Those who said no missed out on one of the highest-grossing films of all time, but their careers were already well-established.

Impact on the franchise’s casting history

  • Sam Neill, who eventually played Alan Grant, became the face of the franchise.
  • The casting rejections highlight how Jurassic Park was not initially seen as a guaranteed hit.
Robin Williams and Harrison Ford passing on Jurassic Park shows that even legendary actors can misjudge a blockbuster’s potential — a cautionary tale for today’s casting decisions.

Did Ron Howard’s daughter play in Jurassic World?

Yes — Bryce Dallas Howard, the daughter of director Ron Howard, played Claire Dearing in Jurassic World (2015) and its sequels Fallen Kingdom (2018) and Dominion (2022).

Bryce Dallas Howard’s family connection

  • Bryce Dallas Howard is the daughter of Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (Wikipedia, biography).
  • She is also the granddaughter of actor Rance Howard.

The pattern: Hollywood families often produce multiple generations of talent, but Howard’s casting was based on her own audition and performance.

Her role as Claire Dearing

  • Claire Dearing started as the park operations manager in Jurassic World and evolved into a dinosaur rights activist.
  • Howard played the role in all three World films, making her the longest-running female lead in the franchise.

The angle: Unlike many legacy characters, Claire Dearing’s arc was completed in Dominion, which explains why she is not returning for Rebirth.

Other Jurassic World cast members with familial ties

  • Isabella Sermon, who played Maisie Lockwood in Fallen Kingdom and Dominion, is the daughter of director J.A. Bayona’s cousin? Actually, no — she was cast through an open audition.
  • The Howard connection is the most prominent family tie in the franchise.

The catch: Nepotism debates aside, Howard’s performance was widely praised, and her departure from the franchise marks the end of an era.

Bryce Dallas Howard’s exit alongside Chris Pratt means Rebirth loses its two most recognizable stars, placing the entire weight on Johansson and the newcomers.
The upshot

Scarlett Johansson’s casting as Zora Bennett signals that the franchise is betting on a new type of hero — one who operates in the field rather than in a lab or control room. For the audience, that means a faster, more tactical story that doesn’t require seven movies of backstory.

What to watch

The absence of Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard means Jurassic World Rebirth will have to prove it can generate emotional stakes without the actors who anchored the previous trilogy. The new ensemble’s chemistry will be the make-or-break factor.

For the franchise’s core audience — long-time fans who grew up with the original Jurassic Park cast — the decision to reset the ensemble is a gamble. The new cast of Jurassic World Rebirth has the talent to carry the story, but the success of the film will depend on whether viewers embrace Zora Bennett, Duncan Kincaid, and Dr. Henry Loomis as readily as they did Owen Grady and Claire Dearing. If the chemistry clicks, the franchise has a new generation of stars. If it doesn’t, the absence of the old guard will be felt even more keenly.

Related reading: Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) cast and character guide · Jurassic World Rebirth full cast and crew

Frequently asked questions

Who are the main actors in Jurassic World Rebirth?

The main cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Ed Skrein (Peacock TV, streaming guide).

What character does Scarlett Johansson play in Jurassic World Rebirth?

She plays Zora Bennett, a skilled operative leading a team on a dangerous mission.

Is Bryce Dallas Howard returning for Jurassic World Rebirth?

No, Bryce Dallas Howard is not listed in the cast for Rebirth. Her character Claire Dearing concluded her arc in Jurassic World: Dominion.

When is Jurassic World Rebirth scheduled to be released?

The earliest release is July 1, 2025 in Hong Kong, with a wider global rollout expected in July 2025 (Box Office Mojo, box office tracking).

Who is the director of Jurassic World Rebirth?

The director has not been officially announced as of the date of this article.

Are there any original Jurassic Park actors in Jurassic World Rebirth?

No original Jurassic Park actors (e.g., Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum) are confirmed in the cast. The film features an entirely new ensemble.