Jake Johnson confirmed for Jurassic World; Idris Elba not involved

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

While we’ve seemingly been on top of every bit of JURASSIC WORLD casting news since the project went into pre-production, two names have hung around with big question marks next to them: Idris Elba (PROMETHEUS, THOR) and Jake Johnson (“The New Girl”, DRINKING BUDDIES). Try as we might, we haven’t been able to pin down whether or not these guys were actually set to star in the sequel.

But today brings clarification on both names.

Firstly, Johnson has confirmed himself that he’ll be starring in the film, which is being directed by Colin Trevorrow. Not coincidentally, Johnson was in Trevorrow’s previous film, SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED; here’s the actor explaining his decision to star in the mega-budget adventure:

When I was growing up and “Jurassic Park” came out, I freaked out like every other kid. I was born in ’78, so I was like, 12. If it wasn’t Colin and someone said they wanted me in “Jurassic Park,” I would jump on it. The fact that it’s Colin, written by Derek Connolly (who wrote “Safety Not Guaranteed”) and both those guys are personal friends, I’d go through a wall.”

Add Johnson’s name to the roster. But not so fast on Elba.

Trevorrow squashed the rumor that the badass Brit would be fighting dinos in JURASSIC WORLD. Trevorrow took to Twitter and had this response to an inquiring mind who wondered if Elba would indeed star in the flick:

I love this rumor as much as the next guy, but Idris Elba won’t be joining us. The dinosaurs wouldn’t stand a chance.

He might have a point there.

JURASSIC WORLD stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, BD Wong, Omar Sy, Irrfan Khan and Jake Johnson. It opens June 2015.