New cast and director of latest Jurassic World sequel excited to be part of the ride

LONDON – Scarlett Johansson’s role in Jurassic World Rebirth made her recall her earliest memories of the dinosaur film franchise.

The American actress saw the first Jurassic Park film in 1993 at the movie theatre when she was 10 years old.

“It imprinted on me very deeply,” the 40-year-old star said at the standalone sequel’s London premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. “For the next three decades, I was, like, I would have done anything to be in a Jurassic movie in any capacity.”

The movie opens in Singapore cinemas on July 2.

The franchise, created by American author Michael Crichton, has spawned several films, merchandising deals and video games.

Jurassic World Rebirth, directed by British film-maker Gareth Edwards, follows a team of specialists that embarks on an expedition to a forbidden island, home to a research facility for the original Jurassic Park.

Some of the specialists include characters played by Johansson and British actors Jonathan Bailey and Rupert Friend, who must obtain DNA samples from three dinosaurs to achieve a life-saving medical breakthrough.

For Friend, 43, this instalment in the franchise is exhilarating. “I love adventure. I love being taken on a ride where you don’t know what’s going to happen. I love the unknown. I love risk,” he said.

For well-known science-fiction director Edwards (Godzilla, 2014; Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 2016), the pressure for Jurassic World Rebirth to succeed did not hit until he arrived at the premiere.

“It’s all front and centre here. It feels a bit weird, to be honest. I can’t quite get my head around it,” the 49-year-old said. REUTERS