In a franchise known for its A-list actors, the lead of the next Jurassic Park sequel is an unknown, a sharp contrast to Marvel Cinematic Universe icon Scarlett Johansson, the star of the latest film, Jurassic World Rebirth.
Payal Mistry — known for My Fault: London, National Theatre Live: Life of Pi, and the British soap opera Coronation Street — will portray Dr. Maya Joshi in “Jurassic Park: Survival,” a first-person action-adventure game set hours after the events of the 1993 film.
The announcement came via a cinematic trailer that dropped in December 2023, but now, we finally have a new behind-the-scenes video from Universal Products & Experiences and Saber Interactive, arriving 20 months after that initial teaser. Watch the video below:
The footage showcases developers discussing the project, sweeping views of both familiar Isla Nublar landmarks and never-before-seen areas, and Mistry herself in motion capture gear, bringing the character to life.
“The actual journey, the arc of Maya, it's incredible,” Mistry says. “She was personally recruited by Dr. Henry Wu to become an InGen scientist, to work at the park. The start of Maya's journey, she's unable to escape Isla Nublar.”
She describes a deep connection to the role, saying, “She's incredibly passionate and adventurous. I think she takes risks, she steps outside of her comfort zone. I feel like I'm learning a lot about myself… I think I'm standing on the shoulders of some of the coolest female characters in cinema history. It's incredible.”
Mistry’s casting marks a sharp contrast with the most recent movie in the franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth, which stars Scarlett Johansson in the lead role.
The film has grossed over $800 million despite mixed-to-negative reviews. In “Jurassic Park: Survival,” however, the spotlight is on a newcomer, giving players the chance to experience the wonder and terror of dinosaurs without the filter of star-driven spectacle.
Dinosaurs like Velociraptors, Gallimimus, and T-Rex will stalk the island’s jungles and facilities when the game launches, though no release date has been announced yet.
What do you think of this new BTS video? Are you excited about the game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
