'Jurassic World: Dominion' to become first to resume filming in the U.K.

Jurassic World: Dominion, the third installment of the rebooted dinosaur franchise, is gearing up to resume production after coronavirus lockdown measures brought filming to a halt in March.

Cameras will start rolling again on July 6 at the U.K.’s Pinewood Studios, Universal first confirmed to Deadline. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the film will become the first major studio production to resume filming within the U.K.

Jurassic World was four weeks into a 20-week shoot when production shut down. Preproduction work will kick off next week, with Universal implementing safety protocols that include a private medical facility, frequent COVID-19 tests, 150 hand sanitizer stations, more than 1,800 safety signs put up around Pinewood, and obligatory masks for all except actors while performing, Deadline reported. The measures are expected to cost Universal $5 million.

“Anyone with symptoms will be isolated immediately before being sent home,” a Universal production executive told the publication. “We want to make sure that we are going above and beyond the national protocols to create a safe environment. Cost isn’t our main concern now: It’s safety. We will take direction from our medical team, but we’re confident that with the staggered scheduling and zones of talent and crew, along with a system of contact tracing, we can move forward with limited delay in production.”

Stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard will soon return to London after spending the hiatus back in the U.S. They will undergo a two-week quarantine before coming back onto set. The cast also includes Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Justice Smith, and BD Wong. Colin Trevorrow, who helmed the first Jurassic World in addition to cowriting the follow-up, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, is back as director.

Several other major studio films with production in the U.K. are still waiting for the green light. Among them are Warner Bros.’ The Batman and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3 as well as Disney’s The Little Mermaid.