Credit: Universal PicturesIt’s been over a year and a half since the first trailer for the upcoming first-person action-adventure video game “Jurassic Park: Survival” was revealed at the Game Awards in December 2023, but now, we finally have another major update with a new behind-the-scenes video from Universal Products & Experiences and Saber Interactive.
The footage features key members of the development team, reveals iconic locations from the original 1993 film as well as areas only hinted at on-screen, and introduces the actor behind the game’s lead character.
A Brand-New Jurassic Park Female Lead
Payal Mistry will play Dr. Maya Joshi, an InGen scientist navigating the aftermath of the Isla Nublar disaster 24 hours after the events of the first film.
Mistry’s credits include My Fault: London, National Theatre Live: Life of Pi, and the British soap opera Coronation Street. Unlike A-list actor Scarlett Johansson (Avengers: Endgame), who leads the latest film in the series, Jurassic World Rebirth, Mistry is a newcomer, making her casting a surprising choice for the franchise. Watch the new video below:
What We Know About Dr. Maya Joshi
Mistry, who can be seen in the video performing motion capture as Joshi, explains how her character fits into the lore of the 1993 film. “The actual journey, the arc of Maya, it’s incredible,” she says. “She was personally recruited by Dr. Henry Wu to become an InGen scientist, to work at the park. [At] the start of Maya’s journey, she’s unable to escape Isla Nublar.”
“I really relate to Maya in lots of different ways. She’s incredibly passionate and adventurous. I think she takes risks, she steps outside of her comfort zone,” she continues. “I feel like I’m learning a lot about myself, to be honest. She’s very inspiring, and she has a lot of admirable traits. I think I’m standing on the shoulders of some of the coolest female characters in cinema history. It’s incredible.”
Related: ‘Jurassic Park’ Sequel Likely To Be R-Rated, Features Content “Inappropriate for Children”
Mistry follows several female leads from the Jurassic franchise, including Ariana Richards (Lex Murphy), Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler), Julianne Moore (Sarah Harding), Bryce Dallas Howard (Claire Dearing), Isabella Sermon (Maisie Lockwood), and Scarlett Johansson (Zora Bennett).
Craig Sherman, Head of Narrative at Saber Interactive, explains how the characters from the original 1993 classic were the benchmark for creating Joshi. “So every one of the characters in that film is indelible and this is the bar that we’re shooting for,” he says. “These characters need to be as specific, distinct, colorful as the characters in the film. And Maya is the biggest example of this.”
He adds, “As soon as Payal read for the part, we knew she was going to be our Maya.”
What Dinosaurs Will Appear in “Jurassic Park: Survival”?
Unsurprisingly, the video also showcases the dinosaurs players will encounter throughout the game. Velociraptors, Gallimimus, Dilophosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, and other species appear across the island, offering moments of wonder and terror — just like the film — as players explore both familiar and new areas in an attempt to survive.
Meanwhile, Jurassic World Rebirth has been a commercial success, grossing over $800 million worldwide so far. While the film has received mixed-to-negative reviews from audiences and critics, it’s clear that the Jurassic brand remains as popular as ever. It’s also reasonable to assume that Johansson’s A-list status has been a major draw for cinemagoers.
Now, with an unknown actor playing the lead in the next sequel, here’s hoping it will focus on plot, tension, character, and world-building instead of star power.
There’s no release date for “Jurassic Park: Survival”. The game will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
What do you think of this new BTS video? Are you excited about the game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!