Jurassic World: Rebirth director Gareth Edwards has credited the Ridley Scott Kingdom of Heaven influence as a pivotal factor shaping the film’s visual direction. While many might expect sci-fi classics to guide a dinosaur thriller, Edwards looked to Scott’s medieval epic and cinematographer John Mathieson to help set a remarkable tone for the upcoming release, arriving in theaters July 2, 2025.
How Kingdom of Heaven Shaped the Look of Jurassic World: Rebirth
Instead of drawing solely from Ridley Scott’s better-known science fiction works, Gareth Edwards found unexpected inspiration in the historical drama, Kingdom of Heaven. He explained that the atmospheric look and painterly style of the film became a core reference for his team as they crafted the new Jurassic World installment. This choice was motivated by Edwards’ admiration for the visual storytelling that John Mathieson and Ridley Scott created together—precedents dating back to projects like Gladiator and Robin Hood.
Collaboration with Cinematographer John Mathieson
John Mathieson’s reputation in the world of cinematography has been built on collaborations with Ridley Scott, including significant films like Robin Hood, Gladiator, and even the pilot of The Man in the High Castle. His artistic style, described as rich and elegant, is typically matched with historical set pieces rather than a contemporary dinosaur film. Nevertheless, Gareth Edwards made it his mission to bring Mathieson on board, recognizing that his approach could bring new depth and sophistication to Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Edwards revealed how his creative ambitions needed to align with the studio’s preferences, as well as garner approval from executive producer Steven Spielberg. This posed a unique challenge in assembling the ideal team for such a high-profile franchise movie.
“John Mathieson was the director of photography, and the more and more I looked at it, the more I was like, ‘This is perfection.’ There’s not a bad frame in this movie. I’ve always had this love for his work.”
—Gareth Edwards, Director
“When you start a film like this, you have a group of names you’d like to work with, and the studio have a group of names they would trust. Then there’s Steven [Spielberg] as well in the middle of that. There was this one little overlap where they all intersected, and everyone agreed on Mathieson.”
—Gareth Edwards, Director
Blending Medieval Ambience with Dinosaur Thrills
Securing John Mathieson for Jurassic World: Rebirth was considered a significant achievement for Edwards. The partnership ensured that even without battle scenes or knights, the film would showcase some of the atmospheric craft and striking visuals emblematic of Kingdom of Heaven. The dramatic lighting, moody landscapes, and careful framing are expected to create a distinct environment as dinosaurs once again menace people on screen.
What Sets This Visual Approach Apart
By infusing a traditional dinosaur adventure with Ridley Scott Kingdom of Heaven influence, the filmmakers are promising an experience that stands apart from past entries in the franchise. The result may surprise fans, as the visual storytelling techniques, usually reserved for epic tales of knights and ancient wars, will now serve a story packed with suspense and spectacle.
With its July 2025 release approaching, Jurassic World: Rebirth is generating excitement for how this bold blend of creative influences will play out on the big screen. The involvement of names like Gareth Edwards, John Mathieson, Ridley Scott, and Steven Spielberg marks a new chapter in the series, appealing to both long-time followers and those eager for a fresh visual take on dinosaur action.
