Universal Pictures‘ Jurassic World: Dominion was one of the first stunt tentpole movies to return to production in the UK in early July, creating a model that’s been recreated by so many other productions since then. Universal even bought out an entire hotel for cast and crew on the production to create an enclosed living environment. After a couple COVID-related problems troubled the show’s plans to shoot in Malta, things seemed to be back on track. That is, until today when Universal and director Colin Trevorrow announced there were a few positive COVID-19 tests and as per safety protocols, the entire production was put on temporary pause for two weeks.
A statement from a Universal spokesman to The Hollywood Reporter read, “Late last night, we were informed that the Jurassic World: Dominion production experienced a small amount of positive tests for COVID-19. Even though subsequent tests proved negative this morning, due to our rigid protocols and to ensure that the safety and well-being of our entire cast and crew is paramount at all times, those who initially tested positive are currently self-isolating, as are those who they have come into contact with. As a result filming has been temporarily paused and will resume in accordance with established safety guidelines.”
The sixth movie in the incredibly popular Jurassic Park franchise begun by Steven Spielberg back in 1993 only had three weeks left to go in production, and THR reported that the production had added $3 million onto the budget for the 27,000 COVID-19 tests the the production had been generating since returning to work in July. Dominion previously shut down in March along with productions worldwide as the World Health Organization announced that the COVID-19 outbreak had indeed turned into a full-scale pandemic.
This unfortunate shutdown came just one day after Universal and partner Amblin had decided to delay the release of the movie by a year until June 10, 2022, mainly due to uncertainties whether the pandemic would end or there would be a vaccine by next summer. Earlier in the week, Universal delayed its other big tentpole F9 from a planned April 2021 release to Memorial Day, also a year after its planned 2020 release.
The next Jurassic World movie will be released nearly four years after 2018’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, which Trevorrow co-wrote and produced. Dominion reunites him with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, but it also brings back Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum from the original trilogy.
You can read Trevorrow’s own reaction to the positive COVID tests that he tweeted out earlier in the day.
Woke up to the news we had a few positive Coronavirus tests on Jurassic World: Dominion. All tested negative shortly after, but due to our safety protocols we’re going to pause for two weeks. Back soon. pic.twitter.com/DxuqX9UdgX
— Colin Trevorrow (@colintrevorrow) October 7, 2020
