His name has unofficially been linked with the project for a while now, but The Impossible's Juan Antonio Bayona has now been confirmed as directing the Jurassic World sequel.
Though these things often take some time to evolve from rumour to reality (we bet Dr. Wu could speed things up, but all directors would come out DNA spliced with a crocodile) through the usual Hollywood dealmaking, Bayona was welcomed to the project by Colin Trevorrow and producer Frank Marshall via Twitter.
Trevorrow, who co-wrote and directed the latest outing for the Jurassic Park franchise which became a billion-dollar hit last year, opted not to sit in the director's chair again, preferring to make The Book Of Henry and prepare for an even bigger gig shooting Star Wars: Episode IX. But he's been involved with developing the new World, writing the script alongside regular collaborator Derek Connolly (who worked with him on the first).
Bayona inherits stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt for a film that will, if all that has been said about it so far is to be believed, will expand the scope to see even more dino action in places beyond Isla Nublar. He'll be charged with getting this one ready for a June 8, 2018 release here. Of course, what we really want to know is whether there's a place for Edmund, so memorably (albeit briefly) brought to life by Empire's own Nick de Semlyen while visiting the set of the first film (there's more about that at this page). Surely the Edmund: Origins spin-off can't be far behind?
As for Bayona and creatures, he has A Monster Calls due out in the UK on October 21. The latest trailer is right here.