The race to sit in the director's chair for the next "Jurassic World" installment has narrowed to a single name, with J.A. Bayona emerging as the frontrunner to take the reins of Universal's dinosaur franchise. The Spanish filmmaker, best known for the 2012 tsunami drama "The Impossible" and the 2016 dark fantasy "A Monster Calls," has moved to the top of the studio's shortlist after an extensive search, according to people familiar with the deliberations. No deal has been finalized, and the studio declined to comment on Wednesday, but the momentum behind Bayona marks a significant turn for a property that has become one of Hollywood's most reliable tentpoles.

The position opened after Colin Trevorrow, who directed the 2015 reboot "Jurassic World," stepped away from the follow-up to focus on "Star Wars: Episode IX." Trevorrow had been expected to return for the sequel, and his departure left Universal scrambling to find a filmmaker who could match both the commercial instincts and the visual signature that made the first film a global phenomenon. Bayona's name surfaced quickly in industry circles, and his meetings with studio executives are said to have gone well, though insiders caution that negotiations are still in the early stages.

A Franchise Built on Spectacle

The original "Jurassic World" arrived in June 2015 as a bold reimagining of the premise Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg had introduced more than two decades earlier. Set twenty-two years after the events of "Jurassic Park," the film imagines Isla Nublar as a fully operational dinosaur theme park, realized at last according to John Hammond's original vision. The park's carefully managed attractions spiral into chaos when a genetically engineered hybrid dinosaur escapes containment, forcing a park operations manager and a velociraptor trainer to restore order.

The film's blend of adventure, science fiction, and thriller elements proved potent with audiences. Running 124 minutes, it starred Chris Pratt as Owen, Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire, Irrfan Khan as Masrani, Vincent D'Onofrio as Hoskins, Ty Simpkins as Gray, Nick Robinson as Zach, Jake Johnson as Lowery, and Omar Sy as Barry. Trevorrow directed from a script he co-wrote, and the movie went on to become a cultural touchstone of the summer blockbuster season. Its TMDb rating of 6.703/10 reflects a generally favorable reception among viewers, even as critics debated its reliance on nostalgia.

For Universal, the sequel represents a crucial piece of its release calendar. The studio has invested heavily in the "Jurassic" brand, which spans merchandise, theme park attractions, and ancillary content, and a new film needs a director capable of delivering on both scale and character. Bayona's track record suggests he can handle large-scale set pieces - "The Impossible" featured a harrowing recreation of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami - while maintaining emotional intimacy. His 2016 film "A Monster Calls" earned widespread praise for its visual imagination and handling of grief, qualities that could bring a fresh texture to a franchise often criticized for favoring spectacle over substance.

What Bayona Brings to the Table

Bayona, 41, has long been viewed as one of Europe's most promising exports to Hollywood. His 2007 debut "The Orphanage," produced by Guillermo del Toro, announced him as a stylish storyteller with a gift for suspense. He followed that with "The Impossible," which starred Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor and earned Watts an Academy Award nomination. "A Monster Calls," based on Patrick Ness's novel, further cemented his reputation for blending fantasy with raw human emotion. More recently, he has been attached to several high-profile projects, including a planned adaptation of "The Lord of the Flies," though that film has yet to materialize.

If Bayona signs on, he would inherit a franchise in transition. Trevorrow remains involved as a writer and producer, and Pratt and Howard are expected to return, though their deals have not been confirmed. The script is still being developed, and the studio has not announced a release date. Insiders describe the search as methodical rather than rushed, with Universal executives determined to avoid the kind of creative missteps that have derailed other long-running series.

The stakes are considerable. The "Jurassic" films have collectively grossed billions worldwide, and a new installment will be expected to perform at the highest level. Bayona's selection would signal that Universal is prioritizing directorial vision over mere franchise maintenance - a bet that a filmmaker known for emotional depth can deliver the kind of crowd-pleasing adventure the series demands. Whether the deal closes remains to be seen, but for now, the field has a clear leader.

Source: Hollywood Reporter