Jurassic World Rebirth: The Thrilling T-Rex Returns

The new trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth has brought one of the most intense scenes in the franchise’s history: the Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) charging through the water. This scene not only showcases its ferocious hunting skills but also hints at its potential for “adaptive swimming”, as it launches itself into the river after a group of characters. This striking image of the T-Rex lunging into the water has undoubtedly stirred excitement, particularly among those with thalassophobia (fear of deep water), making it all the more thrilling.

Can T-Rex Actually Swim?

T-Rex lunging into the water in Jurassic World Rebirth, startling many fans. – Image: Internet.

The T-Rex has long been viewed as a fearsome predator, one of the top carnivores of its time. However, there is little evidence to suggest that it could swim effectively. According to experts, studies indicate that the structure of the T-Rex’s bones suggests it might have been more of a “land dweller” than a proficient swimmer.

In the documentary series Prehistoric Planet on Apple TV, many hypotheses regarding the T-Rex’s hunting behavior have been put forth, showing signs that it might have struggled with swimming. Additionally, through advanced imaging techniques, scientists have discovered that the T-Rex’s bone structure was robust, likely providing support for navigating through shallow waters rather than deep ones. As a member of the archosaur group, it is not surprising if T-Rex could move through water, as shown in the trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth.

These insights indicate that the T-Rex could have behaved like a “water-loving creature” in prehistoric times. Yet, as biologist David Attenborough highlighted in the Prehistoric Age, the T-Rex would not likely have preferred to engage in water-based hunting, as it might have been at a disadvantage compared to quicker aquatic predators. The T-Rex was not known to be an efficient swimmer and would only venture into the water when absolutely necessary.

On the other hand, the vast aquatic realm was dominated by the Mosasaurus—a marine reptile much larger than the T-Rex. This also presents a challenge for the T-Rex, making it less likely to hunt among the deep waters where Mosasaurus thrived. It seems likely that the new movie may want to avoid scenarios where these two predators interact on screen, given their differing habitats.

Evidence suggests T-Rex could swim, but many factors contribute to its ability. – Image: Internet.

What to Expect in Jurassic World Rebirth

Both T-Rex and Mosasaurus are set to appear in the upcoming blockbuster Jurassic World. However, while the Mosasaurus will likely have ample room in its aquatic domain, the T-Rex will primarily confront challenges in murky waters while hunting. After all, the dark waters may not be particularly suitable for the T-Rex’s appearance. Thus, the chances of these two species interacting on screen may be quite low.

Notably, the scene depicting T-Rex’s assault on the river was first introduced in the original Jurassic Park, which debuted in 1993, following the original principles laid out by author Michael Crichton. This iconic sequence showcased a thrilling culmination of events as characters Alan Grant and siblings Lex & Tim Murphy navigated their way through a river while being pursued by a T-Rex.

The T-Rex river attack is a nostalgic reference from the original Jurassic Park film, over 30 years ago. – Image: Internet.

However, writer David Koepp has indicated that this segment may not be essential and could be “cut” for budgetary reasons. This explains why the T-Rex’s aquatic battle was omitted before being revived in Jurassic World Rebirth.

In the book The Making of Jurassic Park: An Adventure 65 Million Years in the Making, Koepp stated: “I never wanted to exploit that scene. I felt it was a moment in the book; we had to be forced to visit all types of dinosaurs that the park had. I thought that when the park meets the visitor, there should be some dramatic tension. I think the transition to the river was quite redundant. Therefore, for me, cutting that T-Rex segment was an easy decision, especially since the T-Rex would seem less imposing when scared.”

With Jurassic World Rebirth, Universal Pictures continues to build upon what was established over 32 years ago. Unlike the original Jurassic Park, where humans find ways to escape from dinosaurs, the latest installment promises to deliver a narrative twist, as the characters strive to engage with these prehistoric creatures to extract their DNA samples.

Therefore, the presence of various dinosaurs on the island is entirely expected. Additionally, the boats on the rivers will no longer be merely a means of transportation, but a form of adventure as the primary setting of the film focuses on a more expansive exploration. Consequently, there are many reasons to justify the details of a group of characters using this boat to navigate the river before encountering the T-Rex.

Source: ScreenRant