Spanish director JA Bayona, known for 2012 disaster drama The Impossible and the 2007 horror film The Orphanage, will helm the sequel to the 2015 hit Jurassic World.
Colin Trevorrow directed the first movie but won’t return to the director’s chair, as he is now working on Star Wars: Episode IX.
Read: Jurassic World review: This is the best Jurassic Park sequel ever
Trevorrow, however, is writing the script for Jurassic World 2 with his frequent collaborator Derek Connolly, said The Hollywood Reporter.
Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are expected to return for the follow-up, which has a June 22, 2018, release date.
Frank Marshall and Pat Crowley are producing while Steven Spielberg and Trevorrow are executive producing the next chapter in the franchise.
{{/usCountry}}Frank Marshall and Pat Crowley are producing while Steven Spielberg and Trevorrow are executive producing the next chapter in the franchise.
{{/usCountry}}From indie to Indominus Rex: Directors who made the blockbuster leap
Bayona was courted by the Jurassic team last year, but he had a holding deal with Paramount to direct a sequel to World War Z that prevented him from jumping ship.
Read: Jurassic World’s Colin Trevorrow accused of sexism on Twitter
Bayona is now in postproduction on A Monster Calls, his adaptation of the Patrick Ness book that stars Liam Neeson and Felicity Jones. Focus Features will release the movie Oct. 14.
Watch the trailer for A Monster Calls here
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