Who Is Kayla Watts In The Jurassic Park Franchise? (& Where You’ve Seen The Actress)

Who Is Kayla Watts In The Jurassic Park Franchise? (& Where You’ve Seen The Actress)

Secondary to the dinosaurs, the Jurassic Park franchise has featured some of cinema’s most iconic characters, but Kayla Watts is one of the series’ most overlooked. Based on Michael Crichton’s novel, the series has evolved from a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing God to a sprawling saga that explores humanity’s relationship with nature and technology. Over the years, the Jurassic Park series has not only showcased revolutionary visual effects but also introduced a roster of memorable characters, played by an array of talented actors, such as Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant, Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler, and Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm.

In this illustrious line-up comes a number of fresh and intriguing additions with the Jurassic World series, including Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard). In 2022’s billion-dollar-grossing Jurassic World Dominion, the epic conclusion to the series, the original Jurassic Park line-up teams up with the Jurassic World cast, bringing together both new faces and iconic characters from the original film. The 2022 movie continued the franchise’s tradition of featuring talented actors, some of whom have gone on to achieve tremendous fame and critical acclaim in Hollywood and beyond, and that includes the actress who plays Kayla Watts.

Who Is Kayla Watts In The Jurassic Park Franchise? (& Where You’ve Seen The Actress)

Related

10 Best Jurassic World Dominion Memes

Jurassic World: Dominion, the much-anticipated conclusion to the Jurassic World trilogy, inspired fans to create a number of clever and funny memes.

Kayla Watts Is A Former US Air Force Pilot In Jurassic World Dominion

Kayla (Dewanda Wise) in a warehouse in Jurassic World

Initially introduced as a mercenary pilot for the nefarious Biosyn, Kayla Watts’ character is layered with a rich and enigmatic backstory. Formerly serving in the Air Force, she mysteriously dropped out, only to immerse herself in the shadowy world of transporting illegal goods in Mombasa. Kayla’s life takes a significant turn when she starts working for Biosyn, engaging in the covert transport of exotic creatures and high-value items. This complex blend of a clandestine past and morally ambiguous pursuits lends Kayla a distinctiveness and authenticity that sets her apart from the conventional character types present in the film.

Kayla Watts emerges as a beacon of evolution and adaptability, central to the thematic core of the Jurassic World trilogy. Her initial motivations are rooted in self-preservation and profit, yet as she uncovers the darker aspects of Biosyn’s agenda, her conscience awakens. This epiphany propels her to take audacious risks for the greater good, aligning her actions with the trilogy’s underlying message about the necessity of coexistence in a rapidly changing world. Kayla’s transformation from a lone survivalist to a figure of moral integrity starkly contrasts with the fading allure of the trilogy’s main characters, Owen and Claire.

Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm and Sam Neill as Alan Grant on Jurassic World Dominion poster with dinosaur

Related

Jurassic World 4: Will Dominion Get A Sequel? Everything We Know About The Next Jurassic Park Movie

Will Jurassic World 4 happen? With Jurassic World: Dominion wrapping up various arcs, here’s what’s known about the future of the franchise.

She’s Gotta Have It’s DeWanda Wise Plays Kayla Watts

 DeWanda Wise as Nola Darling, lying in bed and smiling as she looks at a phone inShe's Gotta Have It

DeWanda Wise plays Kayla Watts in the Jurassic World Dominion cast. Her breakout role as Nola Darling, a free-spirited artist navigating love and life in Brooklyn​​​​​​, in Spike Lee’s television adaptation of She’s Gotta Have It was both critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences. The actor has also starred in the Showtime TV series Three Women alongside Shailene Woodley, and featured in Chris Pine’s directorial debut, Poolman, a comedy-mystery movie with a huge ensemble cast that includes Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Wise will have her first lead role in a major movie with the release of the 2024 Blumhouse horror movie Imaginary, which is about a sentient stuffed bear.

As for Kayla Watts in the Jurassic Park franchise, it’s possible that she could take over the series. Jurassic World Dominion co-writer Emily Carmichael revealed that a spinoff could be in the works (via Cinemablend), commenting, “There’s gonna be a Kayla Watts/Zia spinoff movie. I mean, this is just, literally I’m pitching this to you right now. This is the first the world is hearing about it.” The idea had the backing of Jurassic World Dominion co-writer and director Colin Trevorrow. The filmmaker added, “Not official, but I support it. And actually, I don’t know if Kayla Watts is a spinoff. I think she’s the main line.”

Where to Watch Jurassic World Dominion