Star Wars Villain Rupert Friend Joins Scarlett Johansson in New Jurassic World Project by Rogue One Director

The performer renowned for embodying a fearsome adversary in Star Wars has been cast in the upcoming Jurassic World film by the director of Rogue One, sharing the screen with Scarlett Johansson. The ensemble for Gareth Edwards' latest venture into the Jurassic World saga is expanding, welcoming Star Wars celebrity Rupert Friend into its ranks.

Friend, celebrated for his portrayal of The Grand Inquisitor in the Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series, and roles in notable titles such as Pride and Prejudice, Asteroid City, and Homeland, is the latest addition. According to The Hollywood Reporter, specifics about his character and the storyline remain under wraps.

What is known, however, is that this movie will mark a brand new chapter in the beloved franchise, featuring Friend alongside the Marvel universe's Scarlett Johansson and Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey. Gareth Edwards takes the helm as director, reuniting with Jurassic Park's original scriptwriter David Koepp for this next chapter. Production is slated to commence this summer.

While Johansson has not yet commented on her role, Bailey—set to shine in the upcoming Wicked—expressed his excitement through a heartfelt Instagram post. He shared an image from his visit to the Jurassic World attraction at Orlando Studios, captioning it with a playful nod to the adventure.

Glen Powell, however, revealed that he will not be part of the project, citing after reading the script that his participation would not contribute meaningfully to the film. During a discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, he praised the screenplay and predicted the film's success, while explaining his decision to pursue roles that both please the audience and fulfill him personally.