jacket. Gucci
t-shirt. Boss
In the world of ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, the dinosaurs might be the headliners, but human stories still steal the show. Among the thundering footsteps, crashing waves, and razor-toothed roars, one character bursts onto the screen with a mix of humour, awkward charm, and disarming vulnerability. He’s the guy who might crack the wrong joke at the wrong time, but somehow still earns your trust — and your laughter. That role belongs to David Iacono, the rising actor whose blend of quick wit and emotional depth turns what could’ve been “comic relief” into one of the film’s most memorable hearts.
For Iacono, Rebirth was more than just another job. Between whitewater rafting stunts in Olympic-grade rapids, globe-hopping from Thailand to Malta to London, and performing opposite an invisible T-Rex that would later come to life through CGI, he found himself balancing big-budget spectacle with the small, human beats that make a character unforgettable.
Schön! sits down with Iacono to talk about stepping into a legendary franchise, finding the sweet spot between comedy and complexity, and why playing Xavier in ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ may just be the most defining chapter of his career so far.
When ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ came your way, did you dive straight into the script, or were you more curious about the world you were stepping into?
Yeah, I think when I first got the audition, they didn’t send the full script because it was such a huge production and they wanted to keep things under wraps. Eventually, I found out it was for ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, which was incredibly exciting, but at first, I had to rely purely on imagination. That part was actually kind of thrilling. Once I did get the script, of course, the dinosaurs were exciting, but what really pulled me in was the chance to play a fun, comedic character. He had these great beats, a lot of personality, and I could immediately see how much potential there was to bring him to life.
If you had to introduce your character to someone who’s never met him, how would you describe him? And what was the most fun part of playing him?
I’d say his heart is in the right place, even if he doesn’t always come across that way. He’s not the most socially aware, and sometimes not even the most respectful, but he means well. He hides a lot of insecurity behind his humour, and I think that adds depth. From the outside, he might seem like a one-note goof, but once you dig in, there’s more going on beneath the surface. That’s what makes him interesting and likable, and maybe even why his girlfriend Teresa sticks around. The most fun part of playing him was definitely the comedy — he’s often the butt of the joke, and I enjoy characters like that. But it was also great that he wasn’t just comic relief. There’s complexity there, which is always attractive for an actor.
overshirt + trousers. Gucci
t-shirt. COS
boots. Dries Van Noten
opposite
jacket. Ferragamo
t-shirt. COS
What pushed you out of your comfort zone more — the action scenes or stepping onto a massive blockbuster set with so many eyes watching?
Definitely the latter. The scale of the production, the pressure, the star-studded cast — it all felt like a lot at first. The action scenes were actually kind of grounding for me, because they gave me something physical to focus on. There’s not much time to overthink when you’re running or jumping or reacting to a dinosaur that isn’t really there. But just knowing the level of expectation on such a set was overwhelming at first. Thankfully, the team made it a welcoming space, and that helped me settle in and focus.
Were you always into dinosaurs as a kid, or did this project spark that interest for you?
I mean, who wasn’t into dinosaurs as a kid, right? I definitely was. I had dinosaur toys, I watched dinosaur movies, all of it. But this project definitely deepened my understanding and fascination. It brought a whole new layer to that childhood curiosity.
suit. Simone Rocha
t-shirt. COS
opposite
jacket + trousers. Sacai
t-shirt. Boss
shoes. G.H. Bass
Was there a moment on set when you thought, “This is officially the wildest thing I’ve ever done?” Or was it smoother and steadier throughout?
Oh, I had so many of those moments. One that really stands out is a scene where a T-Rex is chasing my girlfriend’s family down these wild river rapids. Of course, there was no real T Rex, but the shoot itself was intense. We filmed that scene at a whitewater rafting facility in London — it was built for Olympic kayaking. We had to wear two wetsuits, then our costumes on top, and the water was freezing. We were actually acting like we were escaping this creature, fully immersed, and my adrenaline was through the roof. I was freezing and exhausted, and we kept looking at each other between takes, going, “This is unreal.” Physically, it was one of the most demanding scenes I’ve ever done.
And everything was shot in the UK?
No, we wrapped in London, but we actually started filming in Thailand. Then we moved to Malta before finishing up in the UK. So it was truly an international shoot.
jacket + trousers. Ferragamo
t-shirt. COS
shoes. Crockett & Jones
opposite
overshirt + trousers. Gucci
t-shirt. COS
boots. Dries Van Noten
‘Jurassic World’ always plays with the idea of humans trying to control nature. Has working on this film made you think differently about the world we live in?
Absolutely. Jonathan Bailey’s character, Henry Loomis, has this incredible monologue in the film about how 99 percent of all species that have ever existed on Earth are now extinct. He talks about intelligence being an overrated evolutionary trait. That stuck with me. I think the ‘Jurassic’ films have always done a great job of humbling humanity, putting our existence in perspective. The original ‘Jurassic Park’ did that beautifully, and Rebirth picks that theme back up in a really thoughtful way.
Looking back on your journey so far, where does this role fit into your story as an actor?
It’s the biggest thing I’ve done. And honestly, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had. I’m proud of all the projects I’ve worked on, but this one stands out. I brought something to Xavier that I’m genuinely proud of. I’m very self-critical — I overanalyze most of my performances — but with this film, after watching it several times, I felt like I held my own. That means a lot to me. It feels like a real turning point.
suit. Simone Rocha
t-shirt. COS
shoes. Santoni
opposite
jacket + trousers. Sacai
t-shirt. Boss
When life gets hectic, what or who helps you stay grounded?
My friends, my family, and my roommate Sean. He’s someone I can be around without worrying about how I’m being perceived. That’s rare in this industry, where you often feel like you’re constantly being watched or judged. I’m grateful for the support system I have — my parents, my sister. They’re everything to me.
Away from work, what helps you recharge and reconnect with yourself?
I read a lot. That’s been a big one for me recently. I try to stay active. I love basketball, even though I’m not great at it. I also love swimming, especially in the summer, even if it’s not always easy to find the time. I write, I watch movies, but honestly, being with my family is number one. That’s how I really reset.
If you could jump into any other iconic franchise or story, which one would you love to make your own?
Great question. I love ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’. I grew up with that series. It still means a lot to me. I’d love to play someone in that universe one day. And I think the new TV show does a really good job with the source material, which is exciting.
coat. Dries Van Noten
t-shirt. Boss
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ is out now.
photography. David Urbanke
fashion. Charlie Ward @ See Management
talent. David Iacono
casting. Emma Fleming
grooming. Maria Scali @ Elisa Valentina Agency using LaPrairie, Tom Ford Beauty, Chanel Beauty, ATWATER Skincare + Braun
creative production. Clara La Rosa
interview. Alper Kurtel
