The influence of pop culture on new movies never ceases to amaze. Jurassic World: Rebirth is still early in its development, and fans have already named a dinosaur that presumably has a definitive classification. Viewers coined the creature without eyes the “D-Rex” for an unknown reason, except that was a premature assessment. Universal Pictures will presumably unveil its actual name in the near future.
For now, the creature’s origin has created all sorts of intrigue. Audiences know that the new island in Rebirth is from the beginning, and some monstrosities didn’t receive the fine-tuning that the display dinosaurs did. That’s why a carnivore resembling a tyrannosaurus has extra appendages but no eyes. Mind you, the Ingen scientists didn’t make it on purpose.
The original Jurassic Park explains how the scientists at the park needed to genetically modify the DNA strands acquired for the fossilized amber to become worthwhile. Since the raw material offered only broken segments, the scientists had to fill in the gaps with frog DNA.
Reasonably speaking, they tried different species to see what works before discovering that amphibian DNA could function as a viable filler. Because from the looks of the D-Rex, they didn’t use frogs to fill out the remaining sequences. Its legs appear more akin to a sauropod or perhaps an elephant.
Using a large mammal’s DNA would be the logical place to start since its composition is the closest companion to a tyrannosaur—an animal capable of holding up great weight atop four limbs. Unfortunately, the difference in genus and species would make blending a dinosaur’s DNA with a modern-day mammal turn out to be a recipe for disaster.
Director Gareth Edwards opened up about the influences of the newest predator to haunt the franchise in an interview with Vanity Fair. A little Rancor from Star Wars, some Spielberg T-Rex, and a touch of Xenomorph tells fans everything they need to know.
Anything involving the three monstrosities that Edwards namedropped is bound to be hostile. Its temperament is still worth debating, but the glimpses of the new Rex point to a menacing nature. Anything that big, blind, and presumably been alone on an island for decades, will be violent.
Audiences witnessed how the Indominus Rex became warped after months in captivity. Now, picture a dinosaur without a caretaker, surviving for decades on a secluded island. The new carnivore will not only be hostile towards visitors on the island but potentially towards everyone and everything. Pop culture monsters have proven that caged beasts know one thing: to kill. And one that refuses to understand coexistence will become a deadly threat.
For now, fans must wait on marketing for Jurassic World: Rebirth to provide a thorough description. Rebirth's featured monster already made an impression, meaning it's only a matter of time before Universal Pictures releases a name and official summary.
Jurassic World: Rebirth releases in theaters on July 2, 2025.