The early tracking numbers are in for Jurassic World: Dominion, and it sure seems like Universal will be roaring with joy in a few weeks as Colin Trevorrow-directed blockbuster is projected to open somewhere in the $165 million to $205 million range domestically, which would give it the second-highest opening weekend in the franchise's history behind only 2015's Jurassic World ($208.8M).
It's a wide range and we'll surely have more clarity in few weeks, but based on the previous two films, there's a strong possibility the sequel will open near the higher end of that estimate, especially considering the studio has been pushing this sixth installment as the final chapter in the Jurassic franchise. There's also the nostalgia factor to account for, as marketing has heavily promoted the returning legacy cast members.
Also, unlike recent Marvel releases, Dominion has been granted an elusive release date in China, which should ultimately add a big boost to its box office total and help comfortably take it past the $1 billion mark. Its performance there will also likely be closely monitored by rival studios as the entirety of Hollywood attempt to navigate a post-pandemic global box office and decide on whether China is a market still worth pursuing.
While topping $1 billion at the global box office seems like a relatively safe bet based on the franchise's past performance, another factor to consider for its potential is that the film will launch during one of the busiest periods of the summer, two weeks after Top Gun: Maverick and a week ahead of Lightyear, which will surely affect some of its box office as both the Tom Cruise-starrer and the Disney/Pixar spinoff will be among the leggier films of the summer.
The star-studded cast of the Jurassic World: Dominion will feature Jurassic alums Chris Pratt (Owen Grady), Bryce Dallas Howard (Claire Dearing), 3x Golden Globe-nominee Sam Neill (Alan Grant), Academy Award-winner Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler), Academy Award-nominee Jeff Goldblum (Ian Malcolm), Jake Johnson (Lowery Cruthers), Omar Sy (Barry Sembane), Justice Smith (Franklin Webb), Daniella Pineda (Zia Rodriguez), Isabella Sermon (Maisie Lockwood), and BD Wong (Dr. Henry Wu).
Newcomers to the franchise include Mamoudou Athie (Sorry for Your Loss) as Ramsay Cole, DeWanda Wise (She's Gotta Have It) as Kayla Watts, Dichen Lachman (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Soyona Santos, Scott Haze (Venom) as Rainn Delacourt, Kristoffer Polaha (Wonder Woman 1984) as Wyatt Huntley, Elva Trill (Starstruck) as Charlotte Lockwood, Varada Sethu (Now You See Me 2) as Shira, and Campbell Scott (The Amazing Spider-Man) as Dodgson.
Jurassic World: Dominion roars into theaters June 10!
This summer, experience the epic conclusion to the Jurassic era as two generations unite for the first time. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are joined by Oscar®-winner Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill in Jurassic World Dominion, a bold, timely and breathtaking new adventure that spans the globe. From Jurassic World architect and director Colin Trevorrow, Dominion takes place four years after Isla Nublar has been destroyed. Dinosaurs now live—and hunt—alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures.