Jurassic World
The T-Rex will make a return in Jurassic World Universal Pictures

Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow has confirmed a returning character for his upcoming dinosaur adventure.

It won't be Sam Neil returning as Dr Alan Grant, Laura Dern as Dr Ellie Satler or even Jeff Goldblum as Dr Ian Malcolm – it'll be BD Wong as Dr Henry Wu.

For fans of the film the move might prove a little baffling, but in Michael Crichton's book Wu – who is a key figure in bringing the dinosaurs back to life – is a much more fleshed-out character, and that's what Trevorrow wants to explore.

Jurassic World
Dr Henry Wu, as played by BD Wong, in the original Jurassic Park Universal Pictures

Speaking to IGN he said: "There is a character from the first film who makes sense in our world. This hasn't been announced yet, but BD Wong will be returning as Dr Henry Wu. He had a much larger role in the original novel, he was the engineer of this breakthrough in de-extinction. He spent two decades living in Hammond's shadow, underappreciated. We think there's more to his story."

Trevorrow also said that the original stars would not be returning. "I know a lot of fans want to see the original characters back. They're iconic. But I respect those actors too much to shoehorn them into this story for my own sentimental reasons.

"Jurassic Park isn't about the bad luck of three people who keep getting thrown into the same situation. The only reason they'd go back to that island is if the screenwriters contrived a reason for them to go."

In IGN's exclusive interview the director of indie-darling Safety Not Guaranteed also spoke of how he wishes to keep the film separate from its predecessors, and talks about the characters of his lead actors Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas-Howard.

"He's a classic hero in a very modern context," says Trevorrow. "He's the guy who will get you through the jungle alive – but like Malcolm, Grant and Sattler, he's an expert in a scientific field that's connected to our story.

"The character allows us to explore some new ideas about our relationship with these animals, without losing the humour and sense of adventure. He's a great contrast for Bryce Dallas Howard's character, who starts off very corporate, very controlled. Until the running and screaming starts. Then they need each other."

Jurassic World will be released on 12 June 2015.