Mahershala Ali may visit Isla Nublar.
The Oscar-winning actor is in negotiations to star in Universal’s upcoming Jurassic World sequel, and if he signs, he’ll join previously announced cast members Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Baillie, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Rupert Friend.
Gareth Edwards will direct the untitled film, which will be written by Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp. Universal is set to release the action-adventure in theaters on July 2, 2025.
While plot details have been kept under wraps, the new film is expected to spark a new trilogy following the three Jurassic Park films and the three Jurassic World films, with Jurassic World Dominion set to conclude the sequel trilogy in 2022 after grossing $1 billion worldwide.
The prehistoric franchise has become one of Universal’s biggest properties over the past three decades since Steven Spielberg brought us the original Jurassic Park in 1994. Aside from being a box office success, Jurassic has also served as the inspiration for theme park rides and numerous toys.
Spielberg will serve as executive producer on the project through his Amblin Entertainment company. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley will produce through Kennedy Marshall. Universal’s executive vice president of production and development, Sarah Scott, and creative executive of production and development, Jacqueline Garrel, will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
Ali is a two-time Academy Award winner for his work in Moonlight and Green Book. He most recently starred in the Netflix post-apocalyptic thriller Leave the World Behind opposite Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke and has provided voice acting in Sony’s animated film series Into the Spider-Verse. On television, he is known for his work on Ramy, HBO’s True Detective and Netflix’s House of Cards. Ali is repped by WME, Cognition, Relevant, Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern, LLP.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news of Ali’s casting.