Jurassic World Dominion sets $658.8 M budget record

The 2022 blockbuster "Jurassic World Dominion" has become the most expensive film ever made, with newly filed financial documents revealing a total production cost of $658.8 million. The figure surpasses the previous record held by Disney's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," which cost $638.9 million upon its release in 2015. Neither studio has commented on the reported budgets.

The massive expenditure for the third installment in Universal's "Jurassic World" trilogy is largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming occurred in 2020, necessitating costly safety protocols and causing significant delays. The production was halted for months, during which the studio continued to pay for soundstages, leased equipment, and key personnel. A major additional cost came from housing the film's star-studded cast, including Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and returning original trilogy actors Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum. The actors stayed for a five-month period at a luxury hotel in the U.K., where rooms reportedly cost over $600 per night.

The film's premiere was ultimately delayed by a year, finally reaching theaters in June 2022. Despite largely negative reviews,...