Jurassic World Dominion will see generations of the franchise’s most important stars come together for an epic union of eras. But the movie’s big names aren’t the only ones who will play a big role in the film. It was also feature some newcomers, like DeWanda Wise’s Kayla Watts. Trailers have revealed the pilot will work closely with the series’s veterans in some of the most dangerous, most intense moments. And based on Wise’s recent interview with Empire they’ll be grateful to have her. Because when dinosaurs are attacking all around the world you need as many fearless fighters as you can get.

We know what we’ll be getting from Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic World Dominion. But now we also have an idea what to expect from Wise’s Watts. She told Empire her character is “fresh out” of the Air Force. And when we meet her she’ll be primarily flying cargo. She says that will include “mostly dinosaur stuff,” but also anything that needs to get somewhere. That will include flying Owen Grady and Claire Dearing during one of the most intense moments teased in the film’s trailers. (Although we’ll also see her on the ground plenty, including in what appears to be a knife fight with some prehistoric beasts.)

But while her character sounds like she’ll be a valuable ally in the fight to save mankind from dino extinction, Wise herself couldn’t help but be moved by one of the film’s adorable puppets. She says she fell in love with a Lystrosaurus she dubbed Leonard. Even though she said logically she knew Leonard wasn’t real, she couldn’t help but feel affection for him. Something she says any animal lover will also experience watching the movie.

DeWanda Wise's pilot Kayla Watts flies a plane with Bryce Dallas Howard's Claire Dearingbehind her in Jurassic World Dominion
Universal Pictures

That’s fun for Wise, but we imagine the characters in the movie will hope her Watts isn’t as touched by them. There’s not much time to gawk at dinosaurs when they’re trying to eat you and establish their own dominion.

See DeWanda Wise in Jurassic World Dominion, releasing on June 10.