We may see Mahershala Ali going up against dinosaurs before vampires.

Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali is in talks to join the cast of Universal’s upcoming Jurassic World sequel. The project, set to begin production in mid-June in London, is directed by Gareth Edwards.

Joining an impressive cast that already includes Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ali’s potential involvement brings a new level of gravitas to the film. Known for his selective approach to roles, Ali has earned critical acclaim for his performances in “Moonlight” and “Green Book,” for which he won Academy Awards in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

The new Jurassic World feature, penned by David Koepp, the original screenwriter for “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” is keeping its plot details tightly under wraps. However it is said that this upcoming Jurassic World film is said to have a new story separate from the recently completed trilogy starring DeWanda Wise, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. Those three films, released between 2015 and 2022, grossed more than $4 billion at the global box office.

Fans can only speculate what adventures and prehistoric dangers await the characters this time around.

Universal Pictures has slated the film for a theatrical release on July 2, 2025. With the production timeline in place, the team will be racing through post-production to meet the release date, ensuring a summer blockbuster hit. The franchise, which began with Steven Spielberg’s iconic 1993 film, has become one of Universal’s most lucrative properties, inspiring theme park attractions and a plethora of merchandise.

Spielberg continues his involvement with the series as an executive producer through Amblin Entertainment. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley will produce the film, continuing their roles in shepherding the modern Jurassic saga. Universal’s production development team, led by Sara Scott and Jacqueline Garell, will oversee the project.

As the Jurassic franchise continues to evolve, this new installment aims to launch a fresh trilogy, building on the success of previous films which have collectively grossed billions worldwide. The latest sequel, “Jurassic World Dominion,” concluded the previous trilogy in 2022 with a global box office haul of over $1 billion.

Ali’s recent work includes starring roles in Netflix’s apocalyptic thriller “Leave the World Behind” alongside Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, and voicing a key character in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Up next he’ll star as the titular character in Marvel’s ‘Blade’ remake.