Details about Jurassic World 5 are still pretty sparse, but there's already plenty to talk about — including a tantalizing hint that two fan-favorite characters from the original Jurassic Park (1993) could finally be making their long-awaited return to the franchise.
A Director Exits, and the Search Begins
First, a bit of context. Director Gareth Edwards, who helmed Jurassic World Rebirth (2025), has exited Jurassic World 5 over what insiders are calling "creative differences." As Deadline reported in August, "Insiders say the decision was made due to creative differences, and Edwards will now focus on other original projects he is developing." Universal released a statement acknowledging the collaboration, saying, "We had an incredible experience working with Gareth on Jurassic World Rebirth." The studio is now actively searching for a new director.
Jurassic World 5 Moves Forward
Despite the director shakeup, the sequel is pressing ahead. Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey — who played Zora Bennett, Duncan Kincaid, and Henry Loomis respectively in Rebirth — are said to be reprising their roles, with writer David Koepp once again penning the script. Filming is expected to begin in 2027.
It's worth noting that Rebirth left the franchise in a somewhat complicated place, having essentially wiped out global dinosaur populations — a stark contrast to the thriving dinosaurs seen in 2022's Jurassic World Dominion. The 2025 film opted for a jungle-island setting featuring mutant dinosaurs. Even so, despite overwhelmingly negative reviews from audiences and critics, Jurassic World Rebirth grossed a solid $869.1 million worldwide — enough to keep the franchise moving forward.
A Cryptic Post Sparks Nostalgia
Given Rebirth's turbulent critical reception, Universal may look to nostalgia to help drive ticket sales for the next installment — something the franchise has done before. Jurassic World Dominion famously brought back Jeff Goldblum (Ian Malcolm), Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler), and Sam Neill (Alan Grant) to great fan excitement.
Now, the official Jurassic World social media accounts have posted something that's got fans talking. Captioned with the cryptic words "It could still happen," the post features a series of three images of Lex and Tim Murphy from the original film: the iconic scene where they hide behind a fallen tree as the T. rex attacks a Gallimimus, the nail-biting kitchen scene where they evade raptors, and the harrowing T. rex escape scene where they're trapped inside a rain-battered jeep.
"It could still happen." — @JurassicWorld, September 16, 2026
Lex (played by Ariana Richards) and Tim (played by Joe Mazzello) are the only surviving characters from the original Jurassic Park (1993) who have yet to fully return to the franchise, having appeared only briefly in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).
Where Are Ariana Richards and Joe Mazzello Now?
Joe Mazzello has remained active in Hollywood, most notably starring in the Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). Ariana Richards, on the other hand, has largely stepped away from acting to focus on her art career. Both actors have recently made appearances at comic conventions, keeping their connection to the franchise alive in fans' hearts.
What Could a Return Look Like?
Lex might be a natural fit for a comeback — after all, she's a self-described "hacker" who pretty much saved the day in the original film. As for Tim, it would be fascinating to find out whether he followed in his idol Alan Grant's footsteps and became a paleontologist, or whether his Isla Nublar adventure was more than enough dinosaurs for one lifetime. Either way, the Murphy siblings remain two of the most beloved characters in the entire Jurassic saga.
Whether their return actually happens remains to be seen. And if it does, here's hoping David Koepp delivers a script worthy of the occasion. There is currently no release date set for Jurassic World 5.
Would you like to see Lex and Tim return to the Jurassic franchise? Let us know in the comments below!