‘Jurassic World Rebirth’s Mysterious Newcomer Gets Thumbs-up From Legacy Star

The countdown to Jurassic World Rebirth has begun. With a release date of July 2, 2025, and a star-studded cast, fans are buzzing with excitement—and a tinge of sadness. The seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise will boldly move forward, but it will do so without the familiar faces of the original cast, including Jeff Goldblum’s beloved Dr. Ian Malcolm.

For over three decades, Goldblum’s quick wit and memorable one-liners have been synonymous with the franchise. From his legendary performance in Jurassic Park (1993) to his return in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) and Jurassic World Dominion (2022), Dr. Ian Malcolm’s musings on chaos theory and humanity’s meddling with nature have been a fan-favorite. But according to Goldblum, Malcolm’s story has likely reached its conclusion. “I think he may have ridden off into the sunset,” the actor recently shared with Total Film.

The torch, however, is being passed to a new generation. Enter Jonathan Bailey, best known for his role in Netflix’s Bridgerton. Bailey joins Jurassic World Rebirth as Dr. Henry Loomis, a paleontologist tasked with navigating a new dinosaur-filled era. The actor spoke highly of Goldblum’s impact on the franchise, calling his performance in the original film “a seminal cinematic moment.”

Related: ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘Jurassic Park’ Set for an Epic Showdown in 2025

Jurassic World Rebirth Introduces an All-New Cast

Unlike its predecessors, Jurassic World Rebirth embraces an all-new cast, leaving behind both the stars of the Jurassic World trilogy—Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard—and the iconic original trio of Goldblum, Sam Neill, and Laura Dern. Instead, Scarlett Johansson leads the charge as covert operations expert Zora Bennett. Johansson’s character embarks on a mission to retrieve dinosaur DNA, only to uncover a sinister plot on a mysterious, dinosaur-inhabited island.

Bailey’s Dr. Loomis is expected to bring a mix of charisma, intellect, and humor to the role, qualities that Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm made famous. While details about Loomis remain scarce, it’s likely his character will deliver the film’s moral center, offering warnings about humanity’s dangerous flirtation with nature’s power.

In an interview with Variety, Goldblum praised Bailey as the perfect successor to carry on the franchise’s legacy. “The hope of the world resides,” Goldblum quipped. “Jonathan Bailey—it’s like no other!”

Jurassic World Rebirth Starts a New Jurassic Era

The decision to forgo returning characters marks a significant shift for the series, which has long leaned on nostalgia to capture audiences. Jurassic World Dominion brought together the original Jurassic Park cast alongside the newer generation, a move that received mixed reviews but succeeded in rekindling excitement for the franchise.

This time, the creative team is betting on fresh faces and an ambitious storyline. With Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) directing and David Koepp (Jurassic Park, The Lost World) returning as screenwriter, Jurassic World Rebirth aims to blend the franchise’s classic thrills with a bold, new vision.

The cast boasts an impressive lineup, including Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Ed Skrein. While these names promise compelling performances, the absence of the original ensemble looms large.

Related: ‘Jurassic Park’ Sequel: Returning Character From 1993 Film Confirmed

A Fond Farewell

For many fans, Jurassic World Rebirth will be bittersweet. Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm has been a voice of reason—and often, a source of comic relief—throughout the series. His ability to balance humor with profound commentary on humanity’s hubris has made him one of the franchise’s most enduring figures.

Jonathan Bailey faces the daunting challenge of stepping into this legacy. With Goldblum’s blessing and the support of an all-star cast, the franchise’s future looks promising, but fans will surely miss the iconic “chaotician” who made them laugh, think, and marvel at dinosaurs for decades.

Will Jurassic World Rebirth capture the same magic without its original stars? Fans will have to wait until July 2, 2025, to find out. One thing’s certain: the dinosaurs will keep roaring, even as the humans around them change.

Are you still going to watch Jurassic World Rebirth without Jeff Goldblum? Let us know in the comments down below!