OK, it’s not exactly the most surprising news, but it does offer another shred of optimism for those who were maybe a teensy bit disappointed with Jurassic World (that might be an understatement); and if you weren’t, you can just add this to your list of reasons to be excited for J.A. Bayona’s sequel. As confirmed by producer Colin Trevorrow, the one and only T-Rex will return when the park — or something like it — re-opens in Jurassic World 2, which hits theaters in 2018.

Over on Twitter, Trevorrow was asked about the return of “Rexy” (the nickname for the Tyrannosaurus Rex from Jurassic Park and Jurassic World) in the upcoming sequel, which he also co-wrote with Derek Connolly:

The iconic T-Rex last appeared at the end of Jurassic World, inserting herself in an epic battle between the Idominus Rex (or D-Rex) and Chris Pratt’s raptors. For some, this was the moment when the film — which had already jumped the dino-shark and run off the monorails several times in the first house — really lost its damn mind. For others, it made for a fairly fun and schlocky (if mega-flawed) B-movie, though its problems are easier to forgive if you think of it more as a wacky reboot instead of an official sequel to Steven Spielberg’s beloved classic.

For his part, Bayona (who most recently helmed A Monster Calls) has promised a scarier film that incorporates more practical effects than Trevorrow’s movie. And although the sequel is said to be more intense, we’ve also been assured it’ll be a fun and exciting return to Jurassic World, with a story that examines and provides commentary on animal captivity and abuse — because nothing screams “fun” like a dinosaur version of those horrifically depressing ASPCA ads with all the sad, roughed-up dogs and cats staring into your soul while Sarah McLachlan serenades your soul into eternal damnation for not picking up the phone and donating just 17 dollars a month.

Anyway, Jurassic World 2 will also feature the return of Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard and B.D. Wong, along with franchise newbies Toby Jones, James Cromwell, Ted Levine, Rafe Spall and Geraldine Chaplin. The film hits theaters on June 22, 2018.

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