Sherlock alum Toby Jones and Rafe Spall have reportedly entered talks to board Jurassic World 2, the monstrous action-adventure sequel incubating over at Universal.
Word comes by way of Variety, confirming that negotiations are ongoing as the studio begins to ramp up casting efforts before Juan Antonio Bayona’s follow-up begins filming in Hawaii early next year. Little is known about the actual story and how Jones and Spall’s characters will slot into that narrative, but Variety does claim that Universal is eager to wrap up talks fairly quickly as it already has its proverbial sights trained on another two key roles. Perhaps one is in relation to the casting call put out by the studio for a 9-year-old girl? We’ll see.
Although he’s stepped down from directing duties in favor of a galaxy far, far away, Colin Trevorrow remains actively involved in the development of Universal’s Jurassic World franchise. He penned the sequel’s screenplay with writing partner Derek Connolly, and has since been busy teasing a more “suspenseful and scary” ride. Hold onto your butts!
Circling back to those potential newcomers, Toby Jones will soon be appearing on the small-screen in Sherlock season 4, where he will be playing the mischievous villain to Benedict Cumberbatch’s prickly, intelligent sleuth. Spall, meanwhile, was last seen across both The BFG and the Oscar-winning The Big Short. He also holds a small role in the third season of Charlie Brooker and Netflix’s anthology series, Black Mirror.
Jurassic World 2 is due to open on June 22, 2018.