Scarlett Johansson calls ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ her dream come true
From left, actors Rupert Friend, Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey pose during a press conference for their movie “Jurassic World: Rebirth” at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in downtown Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson, back in Korea for the first time in eight years, shared her immense excitement for her new film “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” saying joining the iconic series was a lifelong dream.
"I was incredibly lucky to be able to read the script that they wrote,” Johansson said during a press conference for the movie in Seoul on Tuesday. "No matter what, I would have been honored to be able to have a peek inside what the Jurassic World was going to be."
While the opportunity to join the famous franchise was personal, the role also came with unexpected challenges — particularly acting opposite imaginary dinosaurs.
"One of the hardest parts of making the movie is that we're not really fighting against the dinosaurs. We're fighting against a tennis ball on a stick,” she said, adding that filming those scenes demanded sustained stamina and focus — even if it wasn’t quite the same as battling real dinosaurs.
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” is a reboot that follows the successful "Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic World" sagas, which collectively grossed over $6 billion worldwide. The lastest installment sees the return of David Koepp, screenwriter of the original "Jurassic Park” (1993).
The story follows special operations expert Zora (Johansson) and paleontologist Henry (Jonathan Bailey) as their team seeks dinosaur DNA for new drug development on the island that once housed the secret "Jurassic Park" research facility, leading them to uncover a shocking truth.
Director Gareth Edwards speaks during a press conference for “Jurassic World: Rebirth” at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in downtown Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Director Gareth Edwards said he focused on the balance of honoring the beloved franchise while introducing fresh elements.
"Every time you make a decision, if you go left, you're just copying the original dramatic part, if you go right, then it's not Jurassic. So it's a very fine line, and you're just navigating, like (using) a machete in the jungle, like the characters just trying to find the perfect pack,” the director said.
Edwards attributed the enduring success of the films to a primal human fear.
"I think it's very primal thing in human nature to be afraid of the big animal that might come and kill someone, ourselves or someone we love. And so I think these films work on that level, and it's never going to go away,” he explained.
Scarlett Johansson is seen in a scene from movie “Jurassic World: Rebirth.” Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Bailey shared how the original "Jurassic Park" ignited his imagination as a child.
"The first Jurassic Park film I saw when I was five years old. I think for so many of us fans, it sparked our imagination," the English actor said.
Friend recounted a particularly moving moment during filming that highlighted the power of imagination. He described witnessing Bailey's performance in a scene where they encounter massive, unseen dinosaurs.
"When he played that scene and was so moved by touching a dinosaur for the first time, I was so moved. And I was like, this is a testimony to the power of imagination,” he said.
“Jurassic World: Rebirth” hits theaters Wednesday.