Universal Pictures’ “Jurassic World 4” movie is set to make use of locations in Thailand as well as studios in Malta and the U.K.
The Gareth Edwards-directed picture, produced by Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley, is expected to star Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Luna Blaise and David Iacono.
The “Jurassic Park” franchise kicked off with the eponymous Spielberg-directed film in 1993 and spawned two more in 1997 and 2001. It also led to the three-film “Jurassic World” franchise from 2015.
With a script by David Koepp, the new movie is touted as “a completely fresh take launching a new Jurassic era, following three adults and three teens getting stuck on the Island.” The new film has also been labeled as “Jurassic World 4” and “Jurassic City.”
The month-long Thailand unit production was confirmed by the country’s Department of Tourism director general Jaturon Phakdeewanit. He said that production will take place June 13-July 16 at locations including Bangkok, Trang, Phang Nga, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Additionally, the Huai To Waterfall, within the Khao Phanom Bencha National Park in Krabi province, is expected to take a week.
The official said that the production is forecast to bring THB650 million ($18 million) of economic benefit to the country, through equipment rentals, accommodation, venue hire, transportation and catering services. He also expects the picture to seek local subsidy through Thailand’s 20% production spending rebate system that is open to international movies spending more than THB100 ($2.75 million) in the country.
It is unclear which cast members will be in Thailand. Amblin Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Kennedy/Marshall have not responded to repeated enquiries from Variety.
Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan said Thailand was “honored” to host the filming. However, he also sounded a warning about environmental damage. “It is strictly required that they comply with relevant laws and regulations, and must not affect and damage natural resources and the environment,” Wongsuwan said in a statement posted on the Department of National Parks Facebook page.
Some 25 years ago, Southern Thailand hosted production of Danny Boyle’s Leonardo DiCaprio-starring “The Beach.” That led to over-tourism at Phi Phi Island and the closure of Maya Bay for several years while beaches and landscape recovered.
Malta production, facilitated by Latina Productions and Malta Film Studios, is set to follow between July and September, with Sky Studios Elstree, through Saga Productions, to follow. Delivery of the completed film, which is produced by Kennedy/Marshall, Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures, is set for release on July 2, 2025.
Other key crew positions include cinematographer John Mathieson, 1st AD Jack Ravenscroft and casting director Jina Jay.
Executive VP of production development Sara Scott and creative executive of production development Jacqueline Garell are overseeing the project for Universal.