You can't put a fin in the water without thinking of JAWS. And apparently, neither can Gareth Edwards. In an interview with Empire, the Jurassic World Rebirth director admitted that Spielberg's 1975 classic was front of mind while filming the film's aquatic dino attack—a scene that pits humans against a Mosasaur and a pack of Spinosauruses. But here's the kicker: Spielberg himself handed Edwards the script.
Edwards isn't just tipping his hat to JAWS—he's swimming in Spielberg's shadow. “I would feel really guilty about this,” he joked, “except for the fact that the screenplay was given to me by Steven Spielberg.” It's a full-circle moment for the franchise, which owes its existence to Spielberg's original Jurassic Park. But Edwards isn't just replicating the master's moves; he's channeling them.
The boat scene isn't just about monsters—it's about suspense. Spielberg's genius in JAWS was showing less to make the threat feel bigger. Edwards seems to be taking notes, teasing the creatures before the full-scale chaos erupts. And with Spielberg executive producing, the influence runs deeper than a Mosasaur's dive.
For Edwards, working on Rebirth has been “like showing George Lucas around a Star Wars set”—a pinch-me moment in a career full of them. But the real question isn't just how Spielberg's fingerprints are on this film—it's where else they'll appear.
Jurassic World Rebirth isn't just another sequel; it's a love letter to Spielberg's blockbuster DNA. From JAWS to Jurassic Park, his style—tight pacing, grounded characters, and just enough CGI—is the blueprint. Edwards isn't just borrowing the fin; he's steering the boat.
Will Rebirth sink or swim? Either way, Spielberg's shadow looms large. And if Edwards pulls this off, we might just have a new classic on our hands—one that knows exactly whose shoulders it's standing on.
