The Jurassic World franchise has been one of Hollywood’s most successful film series, largely thanks to the charisma and action-packed performances of Chris Pratt as dinosaur trainer Owen Grady. But lately, fans have been asking: Why is Chris Pratt not in the next Jurassic World movie?
Here’s the full story behind his rumored absence, the new direction of the franchise, and what it means for the future of the Jurassic universe.
1. Chris Pratt’s Iconic Role in the Jurassic World Franchise
When Jurassic World hit theaters in 2015, it revived the legendary Jurassic Park brand with new technology, bigger dinosaurs, and a more modern storyline. Chris Pratt’s portrayal of Owen Grady, an ex-Navy animal behaviorist who trained raptors, became an instant hit. His chemistry with Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing and his action-hero charm helped the film gross over $1.6 billion worldwide.
He returned for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022), completing a trilogy that tied back to the original Jurassic Park characters like Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler.
So why the sudden disappearance from upcoming projects?
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2. Why Chris Pratt Isn’t Returning for the New Jurassic World Movie
In 2024, Universal Pictures confirmed that a new Jurassic World film was in early development — but fans quickly noticed something surprising: neither Chris Pratt nor Bryce Dallas Howard were mentioned in the cast or production details.
Here are the key reasons behind his absence:
A. The End of an Era: The Jurassic World Trilogy Is Complete
The Jurassic World trilogy was always planned as a self-contained storyline that followed Owen and Claire through the rise, fall, and ultimate release of dinosaurs into the human world. Dominion wrapped up that arc, closing the chapter on their characters while reuniting them with the original cast.
In interviews, Chris Pratt mentioned that Dominion felt like a “natural conclusion” for his character. He even called it a “final bow” for the Jurassic team that started in 2015.
B. Universal Is Rebooting the Franchise
According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline, the next Jurassic movie will be a complete reboot, not a sequel. The studio hired David Koepp, who wrote the original Jurassic Park (1993), to craft a new story.
This reboot aims to introduce new characters, a fresh storyline, and a different tone, meaning it won’t continue the events from Pratt’s trilogy.
So, it’s not that Chris Pratt was fired — the studio is simply taking the series in a new direction.
C. Scheduling Conflicts and Other Major Roles
Chris Pratt has become one of Hollywood’s busiest stars. Between his work in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Amazon’s The Terminal List, his calendar is full.
It’s possible that even if Universal wanted him back, aligning production schedules would have been difficult.
3. What Chris Pratt Has Said About His Jurassic Future
In multiple interviews, Pratt expressed deep love for the franchise but also acceptance that every story has an ending.
He told Cinemablend:
“I feel like we’ve told the story we set out to tell. The world is open for new stories, and that’s exciting.”
He also praised Universal for taking bold steps to evolve the series rather than reusing the same formula. Pratt emphasized he would “always be part of the Jurassic family,” hinting that a cameo or special appearance could happen someday — but not in the main cast.
4. Who Will Replace Chris Pratt in the New Jurassic World Movie?
While official casting hasn’t been finalized, there’s heavy speculation about the new leads. Rumors suggest the studio is eyeing younger stars to attract a fresh audience.
Names floating around include:
- Millie Bobby Brown, from Stranger Things, who has worked with Universal before.
- Glen Powell, known for Top Gun: Maverick.
- Nicholas Hoult, who has experience balancing action and emotion.
Universal’s goal appears to be reinventing the dynamic — moving away from the military-hero archetype and focusing more on survival, science, and suspense, closer to the original Jurassic Park tone.
5. The Franchise’s Evolution: From Jurassic Park to Jurassic World Reboot
The Jurassic saga has evolved for over three decades:
| Era | Films | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | Jurassic Park trilogy (1993–2001) | Scientific wonder, chaos theory, and survival |
| 2010s–2020s | Jurassic World trilogy (2015–2022) | Commercialization, genetic manipulation, and global consequences |
| 2025– | Jurassic World Reboot (In development) | New cast, darker tone, and reimagined storylines |
This shift shows that Universal wants to revive the excitement of discovery, not just spectacle. With David Koepp’s return as writer, fans expect more grounded storytelling — and fewer over-the-top hybrid dinosaurs.
6. Fan Reactions to Chris Pratt’s Absence
Fans have mixed feelings about Pratt’s exit. Social media discussions show both nostalgia and optimism.
On Reddit and Twitter/X, comments include:
“Chris Pratt carried the new trilogy — it won’t feel the same without him.”
“Time for something new. The franchise was getting repetitive.”
Many appreciate Pratt’s performance but agree that Jurassic World Dominion gave closure to his story. Some fans even hope his character could return in the future as a mentor or cameo, much like Jeff Goldblum’s recurring appearances.
7. The New Jurassic World Movie: What We Know So Far
Here’s what’s been confirmed about the upcoming reboot as of late 2025:
- Title: Not yet announced.
- Writer: David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible).
- Director: Gareth Edwards (Rogue One, The Creator) reportedly in talks.
- Release Date: Expected in 2026 or 2027.
- Cast: Unannounced, but new characters are confirmed.
- Plot: Focused on the discovery and ethics of cloning dinosaurs again — set decades after the first park disaster.
Universal is reportedly emphasizing practical effects, suspense-driven storytelling, and a deeper emotional core, returning to the tone that made Jurassic Park a classic.
8. Could Chris Pratt Ever Return to Jurassic World?
While Pratt isn’t in the new movie, it’s not impossible for him to return in the future. Hollywood franchises thrive on nostalgia.
Just as Sam Neill and Laura Dern came back after 20 years, Pratt could reappear in a later sequel or spin-off. Universal might use his character Owen Grady as a “legend” in the new timeline — referenced or even cameoed in a later film.
Chris Pratt himself hinted at this possibility:
“Never say never. Jurassic is bigger than any one person. If there’s a cool way to come back, I’m open.”
9. How Chris Pratt’s Career Has Evolved Beyond Jurassic World
Even without Jurassic World, Chris Pratt’s career continues to soar.
A. Marvel Success
As Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), he completed another major trilogy with emotional depth and record box office success.
B. Voice Acting
Pratt voiced both Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Garfield in The Garfield Movie (2024) — both huge commercial hits.
C. Streaming Domination
On Amazon Prime, he stars in The Terminal List, which is expanding into a full franchise.
In short, Pratt doesn’t need Jurassic World to maintain his A-list status — though it will always remain one of his defining roles.
10. The Future of the Jurassic Franchise Without Chris Pratt
The Jurassic brand is too strong to fade. Universal plans to expand it across:
- Movies (the new reboot and possible spin-offs)
- Streaming series
- Video games like Jurassic World Evolution 3
- Theme parks and attractions
By taking a reboot approach, the studio ensures creative freedom and long-term storytelling potential — while keeping options open for legacy character appearances.
11. Conclusion: Jurassic World Moves On, But Chris Pratt’s Legacy Remains
So, why is Chris Pratt not in the new Jurassic World? The answer is simple — his trilogy’s story is complete, and Universal wants to start fresh. Pratt’s departure isn’t due to drama or creative differences; it’s the natural evolution of the franchise.
While fans will miss Owen Grady’s rugged charm, this change opens doors for new characters, deeper storytelling, and renewed excitement. And if history has taught us anything, dinosaurs — and Chris Pratt — always find a way back.