J.A. Bayona is on board to direct “Jurassic World 2” for Universal Pictures.
Producer Frank Marshall and “Jurassic World” director Colin Trevorrow confirmed the news on Twitter.
Bayona had long been rumored to be the frontrunner for the job after he parted ways with another major sequel, “World War Z 2,” last year. A deal has officially closed.
Exec producers Steven Spielberg and Trevorrow will reunite with stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard for the follow-up to one of the biggest blockbusters in the history of cinema. Marshall and Pat Crowley will produce along with Belén Atienza.
Trevorrow and his writing partner Derek Connolly penned the script.
“Jurassic World” blew away box office records, scoring the biggest domestic opening of all time with $205 million. The film went on to make $1.7 billion worldwide — including $652 million in the U.S. — putting it in the top five highest-grossing films rankings domestically and worldwide.
Bayona made a splash with his Oscar-nominated 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami pic “The Impossible” and soon became one of the most sought-after helmers in town. The director ended up choosing Focus’ “When a Monster Calls” as his follow-up, which stars Liam Neeson and Felicity Jones, and opens later this fall.
He is repped by CAA and attorney Warren Dern of Sloane, Offer Weber and Dern.