The first trailer for Gareth Edwards’Jurassic World Rebirthfeatured the first looks at some of the movie’s new dinosaurs, and one of them may reference a deep cut from the Godzilla franchise. Following the disappointing conclusion to theJurassic Worldtrilogy that ended in 2022 withJurassic World Dominion, the franchise will pivot in an entirely new directionwithout its star, Chris Pratt, and with a fresh narrative.Scarlett Johansson steps in as the franchise’s new lead, and the dinosaur action will take place on a previously-unexplored island in the warm seas of theJurassic Parkuniverse.
Based on the firstJurassic World Rebirthtrailer, the franchise appears to be going back to its roots in depicting dinosaurs as massive, majestic, terrifying creatures. The plot will center around a quest for the DNA of three of the largest dinosaurs still alive on Earth, indicating that the sheer scale of the dinosaurs at the movie’s center will play a massive role. Some of the largest shown in the trailer are so big they conjure the kaiju of Godzilla’s cinematic history, and one in particular may have a visual connection to an actual Godzilla franchise villain.
Jurassic World Rebirth’s Titanosaurus May Reference A One-Time Godzilla Villain
The Kaiju Titanosaurus Was Aligned With Godzilla’s Nemesis Mechagodzilla
Jurassic World Rebirthfocuses on Scarlett Johansson’s Zora Bennett, a special operative responsible for helping a paleontologist (Jonathan Bailey) collect DNA samples from the largest dinosaurs on land, in the sea, and in the sky. The largest land dinosaur shown in the trailer is a massive sauropod which, despite not being specifically named yet,is reportedly the Titanosaurus. The trailer showcases its whip-like tail, but the two specimens shown also have a distinct reddish-orange fin along their neck near their head and along the base of their tail.
Titanosaurus only appeared once in Godzilla’s cinematic history, but has appeared many times inGodzillavideo games, comic books, and other media.
It’s a very specific feature and coloration that could be a reference to a Showa Era Godzilla villain: the semiaquatic dinosaur that also happens to be named Titanosaurus. Titanosaurus appeared as an ally of Godzilla’s robotic nemesis Mechagodzilla in 1975’sTerror of Mechagodzilla, but he only fought against Godzilla thanks to a mind control device. While it could be a coincidence, the specific shade of red fin along with its placement on theJurassic World Rebirthsauropods in addition to the two creatures sharing a name seems too perfect to not be intentional.
Jurassic World Rebirth May Be Taking Other Notes From The Godzilla Franchise
Kaiju-Sized Dinosaurs Are Making A Comeback
Titanosaurus' creature design elements may not be the only thing thatJurassic World Rebirthis borrowing from the Godzilla franchise. The jungle setting and array of massive monsters isreminiscent ofKong: Skull Island, one of the foundational movies of Legendary’s ongoing Monsterverse. The movie also leans into the notion that human beings are completely outmatched and outsized when compared to the awesome might of nature; that’s a major theme surrounding the Titans (like Godzilla and Kong) of the Monsterverse.
2015
$150-$215 million
$1.671 billion
72%
78%
2018
$432 million
$1.31 billion
47%
48%
2022
$265 million
$1.004 billion
29%
77%
While the preceding entries in the franchise devolved into a malaise of CGI and action,Jurassic World Rebirthappears poised to reclaim the spectacle of the astonishing size of real dinosaurs as they would look in the world today. Centering the plot around the largest monsters on the Earth conjures up vibes of the very best of the Godzilla franchise. A reference toTerror of Mechagodzilla’s Titanosaurus inJurassic World Rebirthmight seem like a fun one-off, but it could be a small symbol of Godzilla’s overall influence on the new era ofJurassic Parkmovies.
