Mahershala Ali has likened working on Jurassic World Rebirth to attending a “summer camp.” The filming experience brought together an ensemble cast in exotic locations, creating bonds that extended beyond typical movie productions.
The 51-year-old actor stars in the new sci-fi action film alongside the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Ed Skrein, and Ali has admitted to loving his time on set with his co-stars. The Jurassic franchise has become one of cinema’s most successful series since its inception.
“What I think was a little bit different was being out of it all,” he told E! News. “I’ve shot a lot domestically, but being out in such a special place like Thailand led to us having this feeling of being at a summer camp together.” Thailand has become an increasingly popular filming destination for major Hollywood productions.
Ali found filming overseas to be an enjoyable experience. The international locations provided both scenic backdrops and unique challenges for the production team, requiring extensive coordination across multiple time zones.
“We were in Thailand, and then we were in Malta, and London was pretty great too. We were in some wonderful locations, so it was easy to shake things off,” he said. Malta has served as a filming location for numerous major productions due to its diverse landscapes and film-friendly infrastructure.
Ali had to get himself in tip-top physical shape in order to film the action scenes. But the actor insists that his mental wellness was just as important to him. Action sequences in modern blockbusters often require months of preparation and specialized training regimens.
“It was really about being able to emotionally sustain this journey more than anything,” he shared. “I got on the bike every day, or did my little curls, my little workout, but it was really [about] sustaining the feeling of being terrorized by these things over the course of four months. That was the tough part.” Psychological preparation for intense roles has become increasingly recognized as crucial for actor performance and well-being.
Meanwhile, Johansson has warned film fans that they might need to watch Jurassic World Rebirth “through the crack in [their] fingers.” Horror and thriller films have consistently ranked among the most successful genres at the box office.
The 40-year-old actress has been told that the new movie is the “scariest” in the history of the franchise. Previous Jurassic films have balanced family-friendly adventure with genuine scares, creating a unique viewing experience.
“I’ve been talking to some other Jurassic fans and they say this is the scariest one, but I would let my daughter see it,” the Hollywood star — who has Rose, 10, with ex-husband Romain Dauriac, and Cosmo, 3, with Colin Jost — told E! News. “It’s still appropriate for the family. You just gotta watch it through the crack in your fingers.” Family-friendly blockbusters represent a significant portion of annual box office revenue.
Despite this, Scarlett loves that her children can watch the new movie. The actress has consistently chosen projects that balance artistic merit with family accessibility throughout her career.
“When I saw the first Jurassic Park movie, I was 10 years old in the theatre and part of the impression it left on me was the jump scares, the laughs, but the terrors for sure,” she said. The original Jurassic Park revolutionized visual effects and remains a benchmark for combining practical and digital effects.
“That’s part of what’s so great about Jurassic. It’s thrilling in all ways: visually and also emotionally.” The franchise’s success stems from its ability to blend cutting-edge technology with timeless storytelling themes.
Jurassic World Rebirth represents the franchise’s continued evolution, incorporating new technologies and storytelling approaches while maintaining the core elements that made the series beloved worldwide. The film’s international production approach reflects modern filmmaking’s global nature, with crews and locations spanning multiple continents to create immersive cinematic experiences.
The cast’s camaraderie during filming has become a hallmark of successful ensemble productions, often translating into on-screen chemistry that enhances the final product.
