Rumors swirl that Steven Spielberg is crafting a Western linked to Jurassic Park.

Westworld is making a comeback, but not in the way you might expect. While the four-season TV series from Jonathon Nolan and Lisa Joy remains unfinished and has been canceled, Warner Bros. is reportedly considering a reboot that aligns more closely with Michael Crichton’s original 1973 film. Although details about the movie are scarce, some fans are already speculating that Steven Spielberg could be involved, and the reasoning is quite intriguing.

This possibility isn’t far-fetched. Legendary screenwriter David Koepp, known for adapting Crichton’s Jurassic Park and its sequels, is reportedly working on the new Westworld script. Koepp has a history of collaboration with Spielberg, having penned several of the director’s films, including War of the Worlds and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. There are also hints that “a major filmmaker is circling” the project, which could refer to anyone from Denis Villeneuve to Quentin Tarantino.

Adding to the speculation, Spielberg hinted at his next film being a “Western” during a presentation at South by Southwest in March. He mentioned that the movie would “kick ass” and avoid clichés, promising a fresh take on the genre. Despite his extensive career spanning over 55 years, Spielberg has yet to direct a traditional Western, making a Westworld reboot his first venture into that territory if he is indeed attached.

While labeling Westworld as a “Western” might be a stretch—it’s more of a neo-Western infused with sci-fi elements—it doesn’t diminish the likelihood of Spielberg directing it. In fact, his rich history with sci-fi films makes him a strong candidate for a Westworld remake.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that Crichton’s 1973 film served as a thematic precursor to Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. Although Crichton never officially novelized Westworld or its sequels, the tale of an android gunslinger malfunctioning in a futuristic theme park predates the dinosaur saga. The Jurassic Park films demonstrate Spielberg’s ability to create a terrifying theme park experience, even before things go awry, suggesting his interpretation of the franchise would differ significantly from what Joy and Nolan presented.

For now, we’ll have to wait for more information about the Westworld reboot. The theory is certainly compelling, backed by several solid points, but we won’t know for sure until Warner Bros. or Spielberg make an official announcement.