Jurassic World Rebirth, the highly anticipated seventh installment in the iconic Jurassic Park franchise, has roared into theaters worldwide, coinciding with the Fourth of July weekend.
The film has been a massive success, debuting as the number one movie globally and capturing the audience’s attention with its thrilling dinosaur-filled narrative.
However, it’s not just the impressive visual effects and action sequences drawing attention; the film also features the noteworthy performance of Haiti-born, Miami-raised actor, Béchir Sylvain.
Sylvain plays the character LeClair, a French-speaking co-pilot and deckhand in a crew of mercenaries seeking dinosaur DNA, which they hope to exploit for financial gain and potentially to develop a cure for heart disease.
In an industry often criticized for misrepresentation, Sylvain took a pivotal step in ensuring his character’s heritage was accurately reflected.
Instead of simply portraying a generic “French-speaking guy,” Sylvain insisted that LeClair be Haitian, drawing on his own roots.
“I auditioned in French and Creole,” Sylvain recounted. “I was like, well, I grew up speaking French, and it just made sense.”
This change serves as a significant moment for Haitian viewers, offering a rare opportunity to see themselves represented in a blockbuster setting.
Sylvain emphasized the personal nature of this visibility, recalling his own journey from Haiti to South Florida at age 13.
“To have a 13-year-old now be able to say, ‘Hey man, look at me up there’ is extremely important.”
The character of LeClair is multifaceted, driven by a pursuit of profit while simultaneously grappling with moral dilemmas, including a chilling sequence on a cliff that shifts from humor to tragedy.
This emotional depth resonates with Sylvain, whose own path to acting was anything but straightforward.
Initially aspiring to follow in his father’s footsteps as a lawyer, Sylvain discovered his passion for performance during a high school theater class, realizing he could earn good grades by acting.
His journey into acting took a backseat when his father fell ill, forcing him to support his family through multiple jobs.
A scholarship to Southern Methodist University allowed him to pursue drama full-time, leading him to make the move to Los Angeles with only $200 to his name.
Today, Sylvain is recognized for his roles in popular shows like BMF and Claws, as well as his recent portrayal in Diarra From Detroit.
As Jurassic World Rebirth continues to achieve groundbreaking box office success, grossing over $200 million, Sylvain reflects on the significance of the film and its implications for representation in Hollywood.
“I’m just so excited that people are going back to theaters,” he remarked, proudly donning a Jurassic Park shirt.
“It feels like Hollywood is returning to those times again, when you leave feeling good, like, man, I just had a good time.”
Looking to the future, Sylvain is not slowing down. He announced that he will be appearing in Marvel’s upcoming Wonderman series, where he will continue to celebrate Haitian culture, bringing more visibility to his heritage on the screen.
Additionally, Sylvain is set to star in an independent film about Toussaint Louverture, a pivotal figure in Haiti’s fight against French colonial rule.
Beyond his focus on representation, Sylvain connects deeply with the film’s cautionary message regarding scientific ambition and corporate greed.
He draws parallels to today’s fast-paced advancements in artificial intelligence and encourages a thoughtful approach to progress.
“It’s a reminder to slow down, think, and ask — how can we help everyone, not just profit?” he urged.
image source from：wlrn
