Jurassic World 2 director rumors heat up

With the script of Jurassic World 2 in good shape, Universal Pictures has reportedly ramped up the search for the director of the upcoming sequel.

According to a report from Deadline, the studio is interested in Juan Antonio Bayona, whose named was previously attached to the World War Z sequel. Having exited that picture over timing, it's now speculated he could be attached to Jurassic World 2, though no talks have taken place.

Not much is known about Jurassic World 2, only that writer Colin Trevorrow (director of Jurassic World) said it would be a "different kind of film." Calming any worries that the film could go over-the-top with even bigger dinosaurs, Trevorrow said "I feel very strongly that it’s not about more dinosaurs or bigger and better dinosaurs, it’s about using this as a starting point for a much larger story about our relationship with these animals and about animals in general and the dynamic created by bringing them back to life."

Chris Pratt (Owen) and Bryce Dallas Howard (Claire) will both be returning in Jurassic World 2, the latter without the heels.

Bayona has previously directed The Impossible and The Orphanage, and is currently directing 2016's A Monster Calls, starring Felicity Jones, Liam Neeson, and Sigourney Weaver.

[Deadline]