Revisiting a franchise after many years is a tricky thing, as the follow-up can either flop or fly. In the case of Jurassic World, flying is a good word to describe the truckloads of money the film made back in 2015. That said, there is another phrase that comes to mind when thinking about that very film: sequel worthy. Which is why Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is coming to theater screens in June 2018, and with it some familiar faces. But it's not all rank and file, as we have some fresh meat in the paddocks as well.
Listed here are the returning and debuting cast members in the Jurassic World franchise. With the film close to wrapping up its production, we don't expect too many changes to this list. But should there be some sort of last minute arrival or departure, we'll keep you posted as soon as possible. Now, prepare for a cast list 65 million and 25 years in the making!
Chris Pratt
This is probably a no-brainer, as Chris Pratt's Owen Grady is one of the two major stars that anchored Jurassic World's ensemble cast of talent. But it wouldn't be surprising if you thought his gig with Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Avengers: Infinity War would have prevented him from taking part of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Well, you thought wrong, and along with Owen Grady's return comes another important return to the Jurassic World fold.
Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard is returning as Claire Dearing, a vital figure to the operations of the now-defunct Jurassic World park, as well as a love interest/comedic foil for Owen Grady. We expect a wiser, and dare we say tougher, Claire to be around for this new expedition. At least, that's the impression we get if her footwear in the new film is any indication. Whether she and Owen are a couple, or still just a bickering pair that's friendly with each other, is yet to be seen.
B.D. Wong
Who would have thought that when B.D. Wong's Dr. Henry Wu returned from the cast of Jurassic Park, he'd done so only to betray the folks of Jurassic World. As we saw him fly away on a helicopter at the end of 2015's walk in the park, we knew there's be a chance of him resurfacing, along with the ill-gotten gains he stole from the property. Sure enough, Wong's supporting character-turned-important heel will be back for plenty of genetically engineered mayhem in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Jeff Goldblum
You loved him in...pretty much anything he was in. You expected to see him in Jurassic World, but only got a book cover cameo. But now, life has found a way to bring back Jeff Goldblum for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom! Reprising his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm, Goldblum is excited to get back to work, as he admires how the series has always dealt with the themes of humanity's struggle with not breaking the rules of nature. Whether he'll still be in the leather jacket or if he'll trade up to some more doctorly duds, is up in the air though. But we'll accept him no matter how he shows up, especially with our last returning cast member in the mix.
Rexy
No one really knew the name of the Tyrannosaurus Rex in Jurassic Park; all they knew was she kicked ass! Seriously, she's so tough she survived decades in the wild, before being made a centerpiece to the Jurassic World park, which was another venue for her ass-kicking abilities. So bringing her back for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was as easy as a lamb dinner and some conversation, but now we apparently have a name for our dear friend: Rexy. I'd have gone with Sue, or maybe Toni, but Rexy's kinda cool. So yeah... Rexy's back, kids!
James Cromwell
Our first newcomer is a pretty heavy hitter, as none other than James Cromwell himself has joined the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom team. Serving as a hint to what kingdom has fallen in the world of the Jurassic, Cromwell plays Benjamin Lockwood, the former partner of John Hammond. A man who helped develop the cloning capabilities that made the park what it is today, James Cromwell has said that his part is to deal with the blowback of the Jurassic Park legacy.
Toby Jones
An actor who's no stranger to big ticket franchises, Toby Jones is another new addition to the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom roster. While no details have been provided in terms of the role he's playing, which is a character presumably named Wheaton, the Captain America star could be another piece of the Hammond legacy. While this is totally speculation, it wouldn't be a shock for Jones to be playing a relative of John Hammond's, so as to further the connection between this new film and Richard Attenborough's legendary businessman.
Rafe Spall
All we know about Rafe Spall's potential character in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is that he's listed as having the name Mills. Other than that, we have no further details, but we do know that the man has had some experience in the world of movie science, as he was part of the ill-fated Prometheus mission back in 2012. Though you'd probably know him better as one of the two Andys from Hot Fuzz, which has us wondering if he'll be the new comic relief, a la Jake Johnson's Lowery from Jurassic World.
Ted Levine
If anyone was made out to be the new baddie in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, it'd have to be Ted Levine. That's not to say he's a bad guy, but considering he's best known as a villain in such films as Silence of the Lambs, Shutter Island or even Flubber, it's easy to see him fighting a T-Rex with his bare hands. So we won't be surprised if Levine's revealed to be a buddy of Vincent D'Onofrio's Hoskins, looking to settle a score with some prehistoric beasties over the death of his friend.
Kevin Layne
Not too long ago, we learned about a pretty big set piece built into Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom's story: a submarine battle between man and dinosaur. This information was passed on by one of the actors playing a submarine pilot, Kevin Layne. A relative newcomer to the acting world, his only other major credit is a role on Showtime's Guerilla. However, seeing as he's credited as "Submarine Pilot," we have a feeling this particular sea cruise isn't going to end particularly well for Mr. Layne.
Justice Smith
What would a Jurassic World sequel be without the possibility of frightening young cast members with beastly dinosaurs? It'd be interesting, but not feel like a part of the family, to be honest. This is probably why The Get Down's Justice Smith was announced as a cast member in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. While we don't have details on who he'll be playing or what his function will be in the scheme of things, he just might be a student of archeology, or maybe theme park management, tagging along for a wild ride with the dinosaurs.
Daniella Pineda
Another youthful addition to the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom cast, Daniella Pineda comes from a background that includes shows like The Detour and The Originals. Once again, we're not sure how this background will serve her in the context of the Jurassic World sequel, but we're eager to see just what her addition to the cast will bring. Though if we were to venture an early guess, she'll more than likely be linked to Justice Smith's equally unknown character. Central characters to the Jurassic universe tend to come in groups.
Geraldine Chaplin
Rounding out the cast is somewhat of an acting legend, Ms. Geraldine Chaplin herself. The daughter of Charlie Chaplin, Geraldine is also a frequent collaborator of director J.A. Bayona, as she's been in each one of his films. This doesn't say anything about the importance of her role in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. However, it does show that Bayona is going into this enterprise with only the best folks by his side. That being said, we're still tempted to tie her into the Hammond legacy, what with a title like "Fallen Kingdom" being given to this adventure.
