10/14/2013

Ty Simpkins of 'Iron Man 3' will Lead 'Jurassic World'; Jake Johnson May Join Him


At only 12 years old, Ty Simpkins has been busier and starred in more hit films than most actors twice his age. He got his start in Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds; had a small but important part in Little Children opposite Kate Winslet; has been trapped in "The Further" for both of James Wan's Insidious horrors; and most recently he bantered with Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 3. Not too shabby, and now he's even got a franchise to call his own....well, he may have to share top billing with a few dinosaurs.

According to Deadline, Simpkins has won the lead role in Jurassic World, which Spielberg is producing and Colin Trevorrow will be directing. No details on his character are available as the plot is mostly undercover, but it's a sure sign that Universal is moving in an entirely new direction. Bryce Dallas Howard is the only other cast member confirmed at this point, but there are rumors of Trevorrow's Safety Not Guaranteed star Jake Johnson being "in the mix". David Oyelowo has been mentioned previously as well, although there is nothing confirmed.

I guess this pretty much kills any hope of Joseph Mazzello coming back? Jurassic World opens its doors on June 12th 2015.