When Does the New Jurassic World Film Take Place
The new Jurassic World film is set in the late Cretaceous period, millions of years after the events of the original trilogy and the fall of Jurassic World on Isla Nublar. Production and story details confirmed by the studio indicate the setting is approximately 66 million years ago, during the age of dinosaurs, rather than in the present day or near-future timeline established by earlier entries. This timeline choice resets the continuity so the story focuses on exploration and discovery of prehistoric life, distinct from the modern-day action of the previous films.
Core Timeline of Jurassic World
To answer when the new film occurs, it helps to understand the established chronology of the franchise and how the new project fits within or diverges from it.
Jurassic Park and Jurassic World Eras
- 1993 original Jurassic Park: Set in 1993 on Isla Nublar.
- 1997 The Lost World: Follows in 1997, also on Isla Sorna and Nublar.
- 2001 Jurassic Park III: Occurs eight years after The Lost World, again on nearby islands.
- 2015 Jurassic World: Set 22 years after the original, featuring the fully realized theme park.
- 2017 Fallen Kingdom: Takes place three years later, shifting to sanctuary and auction sequences.
- New Jurassic World entry: Moves the timeline back to the Late Cretaceous, outside the modern continuity.
Poster Era Benchmarks
These reference points help contrast the eras and clarify what has changed with the new project.
| Film / Era | In-Universe Year or Period | Key Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jurassic Park (1993) | 1993 | First Isla Nublar incident. |
| The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) | 1997 | Expedition to Site B; San Diego incident. |
| Jurassic Park III (2001) | 2001 | Island rescue set near original park site. |
| Jurassic World (2015) | 2015 | Modern theme park era; hybrid Indominus rex. |
| Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2017) | 2017 | Volcano rescue and auction; dinosaurs enter human world. |
| New Jurassic World Film | Late Cretaceous, ~66 million years ago | Dinosaurs in natural prehistoric setting; not a modern sequel. |
Setting Details and Continuity
The decision to place the story in the Late Cretaceous has significant implications for narrative tone and scope. Rather than continuing from Fallen Kingdom or any present-day scenario, the new film operates as a kind of soft reboot within the overarching brand. It explores an environment where dinosaurs are the dominant wildlife, allowing for action sequences grounded in paleontological plausibility rather than contemporary containment failures.
Why the Shift to Prehistory
- Narrative freedom: Creators can craft survival stories without needing to reconcile existing character arcs or established island infrastructure.
- Visual spectacle: Allows showcasing ecosystems and hunting behaviors that were only implied previously.
- Thematic reset: Moves the focus from corporate ethics and genetic ethics to human vulnerability and discovery in deep time.
What This Means for Viewers
For audiences, the new timeline clarifies expectations regarding tone, setting, and stakes. If the goal is to return to the sense of wonder and danger first captured in 1993, building a story around actual deep-time science offers fresh possibilities while honoring the core appeal of living dinosaurs. It is a deliberate departure rather than a continuation, enabling the franchise to explore questions of presence, observation, and coexistence in a way modern-set sequels could not.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the new film a sequel to Fallen Kingdom?
No, it is a separate entry set in the Late Cretaceous, independent of the modern island chain events.
- Will any characters from earlier films appear?
Current announcements indicate a new ensemble focused on exploration, with no confirmed appearances from prior characters.
- Does this affect the older movies’ timelines?
No, the original timeline remains intact; this film exists on a different narrative branch.
Takeaway
The new Jurassic World takes place in the Late Cretaceous epoch, roughly 66 million years ago. This prehistoric setting represents a narrative reset rather than a continuation of the island-based modern timeline, offering a fresh framework for dinosaur-focused storytelling while maintaining the franchise’s core sense of awe and discovery.