With "Jurassic World" earning well over $1.5 billion worldwide as well as favorable reviews, there was no doubt that it would get a sequel, which is now scheduled for a 2018 release. However, Universal Pictures recently announced via Twitter that the film will open in the U.K. a full two weeks before it opens in the U.S.
According to the announcement, "Jurassic World 2" will be released in theaters in the U.K. on June 7, 2018 with the U.S. release currently scheduled for June 22, 2018. This may be because the first film had the biggest opening for Universal Pictures in the U.K., although it also broke similar records in the U.S.
Box Office Mojo reports that the first film opened with a strong $30 million in the U.K., making it the biggest foreign opening for Universal Pictures other than in Canada and China. By the end of its run in theaters, "Jurassic World" earned over $99 million in the U.K., second only to $228 million earnings in China.
It is likely that Universal Pictures is hoping that the film will perform well again in the U.K., to give it an added boost when it opens in the U.S.
"Jurassic World 2" is currently being written by Derek Conolly and Colin Trevorrow, who directed the first film, but has no official director attached. Trevorrow confirmed he is not returning to direct the sequel as has been attached to helm "Star Wars Episode IX" instead.
As of the time of writing, only actors Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt are set to return, although it is highly speculated that B.D Wong will reprise his role as Dr. Wu after his escape from the island at the end of "Jurassic World." According to a report from Wired, the next film will stray from the island setting and theme park story.
