Scarlett Johansson Opens Up About the Wild Reality of Filming Jurassic World: Rebirth
LOS ANGELES, July 3, 2025 – For Scarlett Johansson, starring in Jurassic World: Rebirth wasn’t just another role — it was the fulfillment of a childhood dream 30 years in the making.
“I saw Jurassic Park when I was 10 years old in the theater, and it completely mesmerized me,” Johansson told TODAY’s Craig Melvin. “It’s been a dream of mine to be part of this universe ever since.”
And now, in the latest blockbuster entry of the legendary franchise, Johansson leads the charge as Zora Bennett, a mercenary tasked with tracking down dinosaur DNA on a forbidden island. With a star-studded cast and exotic real-world locations, Rebirth delivers action, nostalgia, and plenty of prehistoric surprises.
From Childhood Fan to Dino Action Hero
Scarlett’s journey into the Jurassic universe didn’t come easy. “Turns out, if you harass Frank Marshall enough, you might get the job,” she joked, referencing the longtime Jurassic producer.
In Rebirth, Johansson stars alongside Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, and more, as part of a ragtag crew fighting for survival on a remote island teeming with genetically resurrected dinosaurs.
Filming in the Jungle: “We Were Really There”
The movie was shot across real-world exotic locations including Malta and Thailand, chosen for their lush, prehistoric-looking environments. And it wasn’t just movie magic — the cast was literally immersed in wild terrain.
“It felt like we were in the jungle because we were in the jungle,” Johansson shared in an interview with TODAY.com.
While the natural beauty was breathtaking, it also brought challenges. Scarlett recounted days filled with scorpions at the coffee station, cockroach encounters, and even filming during monsoon season.
“Thailand had some pretty serious creature critters,” she said, recalling how Mahershala Ali “melted like a human candle” in the oppressive humidity.
High Climbs & Jungle Fears
One intense scene required Johansson to scale a rock wall — a physically demanding feat, even if built on set. But for the Marvel veteran, the real terror wasn’t heights.
“My greatest phobia is cockroaches,” she admitted. “And there were plenty of those.”
Despite all the wild encounters, Johansson praised the stunt and rigging teams and acknowledged the unique thrill of filming in such majestic, untamed environments.
The Final Verdict: Worth Every Bug Bite
Jurassic World: Rebirth clocks in at 2 hours and 14 minutes of dino-filled adventure, and Scarlett’s performance as the no-nonsense Zora Bennett has already drawn praise from fans and critics alike. Even if filming came with its share of jungle drama, Scarlett wouldn’t trade the experience.
“I’m from New York. I’m a city girl,” she laughed. “But it’s amazing to shoot in the kind of majestic settings we were in. Just maybe… not during monsoon season.”
