Scarlett Johansson ready to be ‘eaten’ in ‘Jurassic World 4’

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Scarlett Johansson is excited to be joining the Jurassic Park franchise with a starring role in the series’ upcoming seventh instalment.

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In an interview with ComicBook.com, while promoting her upcoming film Fly Me to the Moon, Johansson confirmed she is headlining the next Jurassic World movie, which is being helmed by Rogue One filmmaker Gareth Edwards.

“I am an enormous Jurassic Park fan,” Johansson said. “It is one of the first movies I remember seeing in theatres. I remember it so vividly. It was life-changing and mind-blowing. I cannot express how excited I am.”

Johansson added, “I’m such an enormous fan of the franchise and a huge nerd for it. I’m just like, I can’t even, I’m pinching myself.”

Earlier this year, The Hollywood Reporter published news that the Oscar nominee, 39, was in talks to join the new film. 

David Koepp, who penned the first two movies — 1993’s Jurassic Park and 1997’s The Lost World: Jurassic Park — is returning to write the new sequel. 

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Johansson said the script for the new film “is so incredible,” as it sets a new course for the franchise following the conclusion of the Jurassic World trilogy that starred Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. The new entry will also star Jonathan Bailey, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Rupert Friend, Mahershala Ali, Luna Blaise, David Iacono and newcomer Audrina Miranda.

“David Koepp wrote it and returned after 30 years to write it and he’s so passionate about it,” Johannson said. “I’ve been trying to get into this franchise in any possible way for over 10 years. I’m like, ‘I’ll die in the first five minutes! I can get eaten by whatever! I’ll do the craft service!’ I’ll do anything for it. The fact that it’s happened in this way at this time just is actually unbelievable.”

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Variety reports that the film is “a completely fresh take launching a new Jurassic era, following three adults and three teens getting stuck on the Island.” Neither Pratt or Howard will return, nor the original trilogy’s stars Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Sam Neill. 

But Steven Spielberg, who directed the first two films and has produced all of the sequels, will stay onboard as the new film’s executive producer.

Jurassic World 4 is expected to hit screens next summer.

mdaniell@postmedia.com

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