April 18--Universal Pictures announced Monday that Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona will direct the sequel to last summer's box-office behemoth "Jurassic World."
Bayona, whose credits include the 2007 supernatural horror film "The Orphanage" and the 2012 tsunami drama "The Impossible," will step into the franchise that director Colin Trevorrow relaunched last June to staggering success, with nearly $1.7 billion in worldwide grosses.
Trevorrow, who is set to direct "Star Wars: Episode IX," will co-write and executive produce the "Jurassic World" sequel. Stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are set to return for the series' next installment. The plot is still under wraps, but fingers crossed the movie will address Jurassic World's evident issues with park safety.
"Proud to collaborate with one of my favorite filmmakers on the next Jurassic adventure," Trevorrow wrote on Twitter. "JA Bayona, it's all yours."
Bayona's next film, the fantasy drama "A Monster Calls," is set for release in October, with Felicity Jones and Liam Neeson starring.
Twitter: @joshrottenberg
