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'Jurassic World' sequel will reportedly head to Hawaii in February for production

By Rick Marshall July 22, 2016

jurassic world 2 filming raptors — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Director Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World was one of the biggest blockbusters of 2015, second only to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, so it’s no surprise the studio is eager to get cameras rolling on a sequel. And according to a new report, that follow-up film could begin production in just a few months.

According to Jurassic Outpost and Reel News Hawaii, the sequel to Jurassic World will begin filming in Hawaii in February 2017, with the island serving as one of several locales for the film.

It’s uncertain whether the Hawaii filming dates will be the start of production on the still-untitled sequel or simply one phase of filming for the movie, but the report does indicate that the working title for the film will be “Ancient Futures.” The Hawaiian islands are expected to be stand-ins for the various islands where the dinosaur-filled theme parks exist in the movie’s universe.

Set to be directed by The Impossible and A Monster Calls filmmaker J.A. Bayona, the sequel to Jurassic World will feature a script penned by Trevorrow and Derek Connolly. Little is known about the plot of the sequel, although Trevorrow and others associated with the film have indicated that it will break from the usual “dinosaurs chasing people around an island” theme of the previous installments.

Jurassic World stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are both set to reprise their roles for the sequel, with franchise producers Frank Marshall and Steven Spielberg also attached as producers on the upcoming film.

With a box-office gross of more than $652 million in U.S. theaters and $1.6 billion worldwide, Jurassic World was the second-highest-grossing film of 2015 in both markets after The Force Awakens. It also ranks as the fourth highest-grossing film of all time both domestically and worldwide.

The sequel to Jurassic World is currently scheduled to hit theaters June 22, 2018.

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