'Jurassic World' sequel to be directed by J.A. Bayona

ENTERTAINMENT

'Jurassic World' sequel to be directed by J.A. Bayona

The Associated Press Published Monday, April 18, 2016 2:18PM EDT

In this Sept. 9, 2012 file photo, director J.A. Bayona arrives at "The Impossible" premiere during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto. Bayona will direct Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment鈥檚 "Jurassic World 2," the sequel to the blockbuster "Jurassic World." (Photo by Evan Agostini / Invision / AP, File)

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LOS ANGELES -- Universal Pictures has announced J.A. Bayona will direct the sequel to "Jurassic World."

Bayona will be taking up the mantle from Colin Trevorrow, who relaunched the "Jurassic" franchise in 2015. "Jurassic World" earned over $1.7 billion worldwide.

Trevorrow will still co-write and executive produce the sequel, but is stepping aside from directing as he'll be busy in a galaxy far, far away shooting "Star Wars: Episode IX" for 2019.

Stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard will return for the sequel, set for a June 2018 release, but little else is known about the film.

Bayona, a native of Spain, previously directed "The Impossible," which earned star Naomi Watts an Oscar nomination. The film revolved around the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.