Life finds a way, but Jurassic World Rebirth 2 has lost its director

Gareth Edwards, who directed the blockbuster Jurassic World Rebirth, has exited production of the sequel due to "creative differences."

By Matt Schimkowitz  |  August 6, 2026 | 5:58pm
Credit: Universal
News News Jurassic World: Rebirth
Life finds a way, but Jurassic World Rebirth 2 has lost its director

Gareth Edwards’ involvement with the Jurassic World franchise has gone the way of the dodo. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Edwards, who directed the first installment of the latest series of Jurassic World films, Jurassic World Rebirth, will not be returning for the sequel. The reason has less to do with a Hawaiian-shirt-wearing saboteur than initially believed. In fact, according to Universal, it can all be chalked up to old reliable: “Creative differences.” Despite having an “incredible experience working with Gareth on Jurassic World Rebirth,” a Universal spokesperson said in a statement, Edwards will not be behind the camera on the sequel. 

Since directing his indie breakout Monsters, followed by the Monsterverse kick-off Godzilla reboot, has generally been a one-and-done when it comes to franchise work. In 2016, he dropped out of the Godzilla sequel, King Of The Monsters, in what Deadline reported at the time as an “amicable” split. That was ahead of the release of Edwards’ Star Wars entry, Rogue One, which, by some accounts, had a tortured production, with screenwriter Tony Gilroy stepping in to direct reshoots that reportedly saved the film. For what it’s worth, Edwards disputes that account, claiming there’s “so much inaccuracy” regarding the Rogue One reshoots. 

Though it does take two to do the “creative differences” tango, and Edwards is far from the first director to take the first boat off the island. Edwards replaced David Leitch as director on Rebirth. Leitch had been second unit director on Jurassic World Dominion, but Rebirth negotiations fell apart before he signed a deal. As for who will step in, we’re almost certain that Jurassic World‘s own Dr. Hammond, Colin Trevorrow, will be getting a call from Universal any minute now.

 
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