Despite the creative freedom, Koepp acknowledged the pressure that comes with writing for blockbuster franchises, especially when dealing with massive budgets and high audience expectations
Screenwriter David Koepp, who wrote the scripts for the iconic 1993 film Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World (1997), is returning to the dinosaur franchise for Jurassic World: Rebirth, the seventh installment in the series.
In a conversation with Variety, Koepp revealed that the upcoming movie will incorporate a long-awaited scene from Michael Crichton’s original novel. “There was a sequence from the first novel that we always wanted in the original movie but didn’t have room for,” he shared. “Now we finally get to use it.”
Koepp revisited the novels to immerse himself in the franchise’s atmosphere. “It was about getting back in that headspace 30 years later,” he said. “And the answer is yes—dinosaurs are still fun.”
Returning to a Beloved Franchise
Koepp described working on the first two Jurassic Park films as some of his favorite experiences. He recalled Steven Spielberg’s suggestion to try something entirely new, which sparked their creative brainstorming. “Sometimes ideas catch, sometimes they don’t. But this one did.”
Despite the creative freedom, Koepp acknowledged the pressure that comes with writing for blockbuster franchises, especially when dealing with massive budgets and high audience expectations. Reflecting on the challenges of early CGI during the first film, he remembered asking Spielberg about creative limits. Spielberg’s response? “Only your imagination.”
“That felt a little hostile,” Koepp joked, “but it set the tone for pushing creative boundaries.”
Balancing Old and New
Koepp emphasized that Rebirth will pay homage to the original film while introducing a fresh tone. “We’re trying to capture the spirit of the first movie,” he told TheWrap, “which is the tone we want to get closest to.”
Before signing on for the project, Koepp presented Universal Pictures with a list of conditions. His top priorities included maintaining continuity with the previous six films and adhering to real scientific principles. “Humor is also oxygen,” he stressed.
