While it will certainly feature plenty of giant reptiles roaring around (and a host of others), the exact story details are trapped in amber for now.
It’ll reportedly be set in the ‘Jurassic World’ era, but won’t directly connect to the previous three movies, so an appearance from characters such as those films’ Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) or Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) appears unlikely for now –– though we won’t rule anything out at this point.
From the sounds of it, this new movie would take the franchise in a fresh new direction, so we’re also not predicting (for now) the return of ‘Jurassic Park’ trio Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum).
Who is making the new ‘Jurassic World’ movie?
David Leitch in Paris for ‘Bullet Train.’ Credit: Oliver Vigerie/Sony Pictures.
David Koepp is hard at work on the script. He’s someone who has no small experience with these stories, since he wrote both 1993 classic ‘Jurassic Park’ (the movie directed by Steven Spielberg that re-ignited moviegoers’ passion for dinos in the first place) and its 1997 sequel, ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ (also directed by Spielberg).
Koepp, of course, has worked a lot with Spielberg, but is also a much sought-after writer beyond those collaborations (he has two movies on the way via Steven Soderbergh) and is a filmmaker in his own right.
Longtime producer Frank Marshall, who worked on all three of the ‘Jurassic World’ movies is on board this one also, and the studio seems bullish about the progress so far.
As for Leitch, he’s become something of a producer as well as his directing work, helping to shepherd other filmmakers’ projects through the 87North company he runs with producing partner and wife Kelly McCormick. He would be an executive producer here in addition to calling the shots.
When will the new ‘Jurassic World’ movie be in theaters?
Also mentioned in Deadline’s report about Leitch is news that Universal has set the date of July 2nd, 2025 for the movie, clearly looking to take advantage of the Independence Day holiday and a prime summer movie slot that has little major competition as of yet.
Chris Pratt in 2015’s ‘Jurassic World.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
Chris Pratt in 2015’s ‘Jurassic World.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
Preview:
Universal has a new ‘Jurassic World’ movie in the works.
‘Jurassic Park’ writer David Koepp is on script duty.
It’ll reportedly launch a new franchise based in the ‘Jurassic’ world.
Despite bringing dino-action back to our screens with three giant ‘Jurassic World’ movies in 2015, 2018 and 2022, Universal is apparently ready for more. And given the solid box office for pretty much anything with ‘Jurassic’ in its title for the studio, this is perhaps not as shocking as it might seem.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a new movie set in the ‘Jurassic World’ sphere is in the works, with someone who has plenty of experience wrangling terrible lizards (at least on the page) involved: veteran screenwriter David Koepp.
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What’s the story of the new ‘Jurassic World’ movie?
That is one thing that the Reporter’s sources couldn’t pinpoint –– while it will certainly feature plenty of giant reptiles roaring around (and a host of others), the exact story details are trapped in amber for now.
It’ll reportedly be set in the ‘Jurassic World’ era, but won’t directly connect to the previous three movies, so an appearance from characters such as those films’ Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) or Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howards) appears unlikely for now –– though we won’t rule anything out at this point.
From the sounds of it, this new movie would take the franchise in a fresh new direction, so we’re also not predicting (for now) the return of ‘Jurassic Park’ trio Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum).
(L to R) Director Frank Marshall, Jimmy Buffet, Pitbull and director Ryan Suffern from the documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.’ Courtesy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
So far, the project is at scripting stage, with Koepp hard at work. He’s someone who has no small experience with these stories, since he wrote both 1993 classic ‘Jurassic Park’ (the movie directed by Steven Spielberg that re-ignited moviegoers’ passion for dinos in the first place) and its 1997 sequel, ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ (also directed by Spielberg).
Koepp, of course, has worked a lot with Spielberg, but is also a much sought-after writer beyond those collaborations (he has two movies on the way via Steven Soderbergh) and is a filmmaker in his own right. Would he want to step up and direct a new ‘Jurassic World’? We’d have to say it’s unlikely given his usual smaller-scale directing gigs.
Longtime producer Frank Marshall, who worked on all three of the ‘Jurassic World’ movies is on board this one also, and the studio seems bullish about the progress so far.
When will the new movie be in theaters?
While it would seem shockingly fast given the usual scope, scale and effects load of a movie such as this, the Reporter’s story mentions that things are far enough along for a potential –– heavy emphasis on “potential” –– 2025 release date.
(Right) Jimmy Buffet performing at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2019 as seen in director Frank Marshall’s documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.’ Courtesy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Jimmy Buffett, a much-loved musician who made memorable appearances in movies (as well as providing iconic music to their soundtracks) has died at the age of 76.
“Parrot Heads”, as his fans are known (coined after he saw big groups of them at his concerts dressed in tropical clothing and wearing toy parrots on their heads) are in mourning.
Early life
Born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, James William Buffett became best known for his unique musical blend of country, rock, and Caribbean influences. His songs were less a genre; more a way of life — a reminder to savor every moment, appreciate the simple pleasures, and embrace the spirit of adventure.
Musical career
(L to R) Director Frank Marshall, Jimmy Buffet, Pitbull and director Ryan Suffern from the documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.’ Courtesy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
His musical journey began in the late 1960s, and over the decades, he produced wealth of hits that became anthems of escapism, including classics like ‘Margaritaville,’ ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise,’ and ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.’
It is perhaps ‘Margaritaville,’ released on Feb. 14th, 1977, for which he will be best remembered. The song — from the album also titled ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’ — spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 8. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016 for its cultural and historic significance.
“There was no such place as Margaritaville,” Buffett told the Arizona Republic in 2021. “It was a made-up place in my mind, basically made up about my experiences in Key West and having to leave Key West and go on the road to work and then come back and spend time by the beach.”
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Outside of his songs
Beyond his music, Buffett was a renaissance man. He was an accomplished author, with bestsellers such as ‘Tales from Margaritaville’ and ‘A Pirate Looks at Fifty,’ based on his life experiences.
His love for sailing led to the creation of the ‘Margaritaville’ brand, which expanded into restaurants, hotels, and a diverse range of lifestyle products.
Buffet’s philanthropic endeavors were almost as notable as his musical efforts –– he became passionate about environmental issues, including the preservation of coastlines. He also helped small businesses threatened by closure, including a shrimp fishing company in North Carolina he chose as the primary supplier for his restaurants.
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Buffett in movies
‘Margaritaville’ and other songs from his back catalogue have graced the soundtracks of countless movies. And Buffett himself is no stranger to the screen, cropping up in cameos as himself or as characters including ‘Hook’, ‘Cobb’, ‘Congo’, ‘Repo Man’, ‘Hoot’, and the ‘Billionaire Boys Club’.
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He’s memorably spotted in ‘Jurassic World’, rescuing margaritas (of course) from a Margaritaville restaurant based in theme park when Pteranodons attack the patrons.
‘World’ director Colin Trevorrow paid fitting tribute to the moment on twitter:
Buffett’s family released an official statement on his passing:
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
‘Jurassic Park’ Lego Special Coming to Peacock. Photo courtesy of Peacock.
It is 30 years since ‘Jurassic Park’ sent dinosaurs stomping all over cinema screens, and if you’re someone who saw the original movie in theaters upon release, allow us to commiserate on feeling a little closer to extinction right now.
Naturally, Universal has been celebrating that fact this year, with merchandise and re-releases of the movie into theaters.
And its streaming service Peacock is getting in on the fun, with a planned Lego special that is called ‘Lego Jurassic Park: The Unofficial Retelling’.
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What’s the story of ‘Jurassic Park’?
Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm in director Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jurassic Park.’
We’re assuming there will be the typical Lego riffs on certain points and characters (as with the ‘Star Wars’ specials), but the phrase “re-telling” leads us to believe that it’ll roughly track the story of Steven Spielberg’s original blockbuster.
In case you’ve been stuck in the cretaceous period and are somehow unaware, ‘Jurassic Park’ is the story of a giant attraction envisioned by billionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), who funds scientific research that invents DNA technology to bring long-extinct dinosaurs back to life. The dinos are intended to be kept safe on an island theme park for the public’s enjoyment.
To assuage the concerns of investors and his legal team, Hammond invites paleontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and paleobiologist Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) to tour the facility alongside chaotician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). And to assess the reaction of his main target audience, Hammond has his grandchildren Tim (Joseph Mazzello) and Lex (Ariana Richards) along for the visit.
Thanks to a combination of corporate espionage and hurricane weather, things do not go exactly as planned… It starts with “ooh and aah”, but later there is running and screaming.
It seems unlikely that the original cast will return to voice the special, but you never know –– the poster features Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm (albeit looking more like he does in later movies), but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s lending his unique vocal talents.
‘Jurassic Park’ was a giant hit, and spawned two direct sequels, an entire follow-up trilogy (the ‘Jurassic World’ series of movies) and a T-Rex-sized batch of merchandise, theme park attractions and other spin-offs, including Netflix’s ‘Camp Cretaceous’ animated series.
We suppose a Lego special was really just the next logical step, given how many sets of the toys have been themed to the movie’s dino-tastic story.
Universal and Lego
(L to R) Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) and Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise) in ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow.
It’s also been made possible because Universal scored the rights to make movies and TV shows with Lego projects back in February of this year and has a new ‘Lego Movie’ in development (the original few examples were released by Warner Bros.).
It all means that the characters and cameos won’t cross over into the new movie, though given that Chris Pratt also starred in the ‘Jurassic World’ movies, there’s a chance his character Owen Grady could show up in the film, even if he can’t play Emmett from the previous main ‘Lego’ titles.
We don’t yet know when the special will be on Peacock –– the service’s marketing simply says “Coming soon” right now. But since it’s part of the 30th anniversary celebrations, expect it before the end of the year.
‘Jurassic Park’ Lego Special Coming to Peacock. Photo courtesy of Peacock.
Other Movies Similar to ‘Jurassic Park’ Lego Special:
‘Dominion’ takes place four years after the events of ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ and the destruction of Isla Nublar. Dinosaurs now live and hunt alongside humans all over the world. The result is an absolutely incoherent movie lacking any fun or excitement, that completely waists the talents of the returning legacy franchise actors.
The movie begins by showing us the destruction and chaos that living among dinosaurs has caused since the events of the last film. Owen (Pratt) and Claire (Howard) are living in seclusion, raising the cloned Maisie Lockwood (Sermon) as their own daughter, as well as keeping an eye on Blue and her new baby Velociraptor. However, Dr. Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott) of Biosyn Genetics, has hired a team of mercenaries to hunt down and retrieve Maisie and Blue’s baby. After they are taken, Owen and Claire go on a mission to save the missing children.
Meanwhile, giant locust is destroying the food chain, which will eventually result in the extinction of mankind if something is not done about it. Dr. Ellie Sattler (Dern) discovers the locust’s destruction and realizes that it is somehow connected to Biosyn. She visits her old friend and partner, Dr. Alan Grant (Neill) seeking his help to expose Biosyn. He agrees, and the two head to the company’s secret headquarters but they will need help from the inside to gain access.
Enter Dr. Ian Malcolm (Goldblum), who is a guest lecturer working for Dodgson at his facility, but secretly working with Sattler to expose Biosyn for creating the giant locust. As the two groups converge on Biosyn, they will soon meet for the first time and have to work together to take down Dodgson and save Maisie and Blue’s baby.
Chris Pratt in Universal Pictures’ ‘Jurassic World Dominion.’
While I did enjoy the first two Steven Spielberg directed movies in the franchise, ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park,’ I’ve never been a huge fan of the series. ‘Jurassic Park III’ did very little to continue the magic of the original two, and I thought the franchise would go extinct after that. Just about fourteen-years later the series returned with ‘Jurassic World,’ which was sort of a fresh start with a new cast but became derivative of the original by about halfway through.
Then came ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,’ which I thought “jumped the shark” with its introduction of human cloning to the franchise. I was hoping that ‘Dominion’ would ignore that plotline and redeem itself in this “so-called” conclusion to the franchise, but unfortunately it doubled down on it and delivered an even worse movie than the last one. Completely gone is the magic and wonder that we felt the first time we saw dinosaurs in ‘Jurassic Park,’ now replaced with CGI monsters that terrify the human characters but can actually leave the audience nauseated and even bored at times.
I really thought that if they were going to continue the cloning plotline, that they’d find a way to clone Dr. Ian Malcom, so we could have double Goldblum this time around, which would have actually been kind of genius. But alas that did not happen, in fact, Jeff Goldblum’s role is rather small. Not as small as his cameo in ‘Fallen Kingdom,’ but he is relegated back to a supporting character, as he was in the original, and not the lead that he was in ‘Lost World.’ I would have preferred the actor had a larger role, but I understand that the filmmakers wanted to focus on Owen and Claire, and Alan and Ellie’s relationships instead. That being said, Goldblum’s talents were once again wasted in this film.
The same can be said for Laure Dern and Sam Neill, who deserved a better film to mark their return to these characters. Dern has the largest role of the two and does her best to make the most of it but is ultimately crippled by the screenplay’s lack of originality. There are some nice character driven moments between Dern and Neill, and it is sweet seeing the couple from the first film reunite all these years later. But again, like Goldblum (who gives an uninspired nod to his shirtless scene from the original), Dern and Neill are mostly used for fan-service and unfortunately, have their talents wasted too.
(L to R) Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) and Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise) in ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow.
Among the new characters, DeWanda Wise gives a strong performance as Kayla Watts, a helicopter pilot who helps Owen and Claire. The actress creates a compelling character that unfortunately would be best served in a different movie. Campbell Scott plays Dr. Lewis Dodgson, who was seen briefly in the first film but was played by a different performer. Scott, who is a veteran actor, is absolutely ridiculous as the movie’s big bad, and plays the role like a terrible Bond villain. Also awful is Scott Haze (‘Venom’) as probably the world’s dumbest assassin who also happens to be wearing the worst wig I’ve ever seen!
As for Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, I love them both as performers and they both do their best with the limiting material. Their likability as actors carries them through a lot of the film’s plot holes and most ridiculous moments and you are rooting for them throughout, not just to survive as characters, but you are also hoping that as actors they might be able to save the movie. Ultimately, they can’t, but it’s through no fault of their own.
Pratt’s at his best in the action scenes, but also in the quieter moments with Claire, Maisie, Blue and “Baby Blue,” who is super cute! While Howard had a more pivotal role than in the previous movies and is featured front and center in one of the film’s most compelling sequences.
In the end, the ‘Jurassic’ franchise was bound to go extinct eventually, and ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ seems like the asteroid that will kill this beloved series of films. With an incoherent script by Emily Carmichael and Colin Trevorrow, and uninspired directing from Trevorrow as well, not even the likability of Pratt and Howard, or teaming them with legacy actors Dern, Neill and Goldblum was enough to save this prehistoric mess!
(L to R) Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise) in ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow.
‘Jurassic World Dominion’ receives 1.5 out of 5 stars.
(L to R) Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) and Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise) in ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow.
Directed by Colin Trevorrow, ‘Dominion’ takes place four years after the events of ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ and the destruction of Isla Nublar. Dinosaurs now live and hunt alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard about their work on ‘Jurassic World Dominion.’
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You can read our full interview with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Pratt, Howard, Laura Dern, Isabella Sermon, DeWanda Wise, Mamoudou Athie, and director Colin Trevorrow.
Moviefone: To begin with, how do you feel about ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ releasing in movie theaters on the big screen?
Chris Pratt: It’s fantastic. I think the world is ready to get back to the movies and this is the perfect film to kick that off. It was made for the big screen. It is the epic grand finale of this beloved franchise. People love ‘Jurassic Park,’ people love ‘Jurassic World’ and the two franchises converge in a finale that’s really unlike anything that’s ever been filmed before. So, it’s perfect for the big screen.
Bryce Dallas Howard: It’s a spectacle. It’s absolutely a spectacle and it’s a ride. I think when you go to the theater, it eventizes whatever you’re seeing. The fact that what you’re seeing here is ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ like what Chris was saying, it’s the sixth movie in three decades. So, I think that if you’re going to go to the theaters this summer with your family, this is definitely the movie to see in a theater.
CP: Especially since it’s like the farewell film, you know? You always want to catch the big act on their farewell tour, and I think that’s what this is. So, you definitely don’t want to miss it.
MF: Finally, the movie also features the return of original cast members Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum. What are your memories of watching the first ‘Jurassic Park’ back in 1993?
CP: The whole world was waking up to this idea that, first of all, this Jurassic pandemonium, everybody loved it and loved the dinosaurs, but it was successful for many reasons. It was this merging of science, imagination and cinematic techniques that essentially allow us to see what we could have only up until that point imagined.
There were bad Claymation versions of this that had been done. Bad stop motion animation versions of this that had been done. This is the first time that people looked and actually feasted their eyes on a living, breathing dinosaur. It was a promise to audiences like, “Hey, everything you could have possibly imagined, you will now be able to see.”
It was a great story. Michael Crichton’s amazing book adapted by Steven Spielberg had an incredibly poignant themes about life, technology, corporate greed, hubris and nature. So, it was just the perfect storm of wonderful things. I remember it very clearly and the fact that we’re sitting here next to each other, talking about the finale and we’re a part of that, it’s surreal. We’re both very blessed.
(L to R) Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt. Universal Pictures ‘Jurassic World Dominion,’ opens in theaters on June 10th.
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Chris Pratt in Universal Pictures’ ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’
“Bigger… Why do they always have to go bigger?” whispers Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm in the new, full-length trailer for ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’. We suppose the answer would have to be “because they can!” Also, dinosaurs.
Yes, the new look at the latest installment of the ‘Jurassic World’ movie series certainly appears to be going as big as possible as returning co-writer/director ups the stakes to wrap up the trilogy he started in 2015.
Picking up the story from 2018’s ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’, the world is a very different, dinosaur-impacted place. With the terrible lizards (we’re sure some are very nice, but it’s hard to get past the teeth) stomping all over North America (and elsewhere), Chris Pratt‘s Owen Grady and Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing are doing what they can to wrangle the beasts to prevent human casualties.
The bigger selling point here, though – especially for fans of Steven Spielberg’s original ‘Jurassic Park’ – is the return of Sam Neill’s grumpy palaeontologist Alan Grant, Laura Dern’s palaeobotanist Ellie Sattler and, as mentioned, Goldblum’s chaos mathematician (and yes, we know he turned up in ‘Fallen Kingdom’, but that was only for one scene).
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Seeing the old gang back together and interacting with the newer faces of the franchise is something of a thrill, and the movie makes no (dino) bones about throwing in some call-backs to Spielberg’s 1994 movie which kicked it all off, including borrowing voice-over from Park financier John Hammond (the late Richard Attenborough) talking about his aims for the original site.
And the trio aren’t the only people back – B.D. Wong is of course here as fellow franchise veteran Dr. Henry Wu, while ‘World’s Omar Sy and ‘Fallen Kingdom’s Justice Smith and Daniella Pineda also show up. New to the story this time are Dichen Lachman, Kristoffer Polaha and DeWanda Wise. Finally, while Campbell Scott hasn’t appeared in any of the movies before now, he is playing someone we met way back in ’Jurassic Park’ – Lewis Dodgson, the scheming Biosyn executive whose plan to use tech nerd Dennis Nedry to steal dino embryos led to much of the trouble in that first movie. What he’ll be up to in this movie is anyone’s guess, but we doubt it’ll be good.
Of course, the humans are only part of the equation – this is ‘Jurassic World’, after all, so there are plenty of new creatures to menace our heroes. And an old pal in the shape of Blue, the Velociraptor once trained by Owen. It appears she’s since become a mother – keeping her and her child safe will be part of the plot.
Director Colin Trevorrow and his team have certainly crafted some epic visions here: dinosaurs being herded like horses, Blue stalking through a snowy tundra, Pratt’s Owen dodging Atrociraptors on a bike on Malta, a feathered example of the toothy terrors more in keeping with modern thinking of their biology, and, of course, Jeff Goldblum’s hair!
Like life, ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ finds a way into theaters on June 10.
Bryce Dallas Howard in Universal Pictures’ ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’
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The follow-up to the last year’s “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” will start filming in spring 2020, but already, the rumor mill is churning that original “Jurassic Park” stars Laura Dern (Ellie Sattler) and Sam Neill (Alan Grant) will make an appearance. They would join Jeff Goldblum, who reprised his role as Dr. Ian Malcom in “Fallen Kingdom.”
When asked about their possible involvement at the grand opening ceremony for “Jurassic World: The Ride” at Universal Studios, director Colin Trevorrow responded — in a typically vague manner.
“I can confirm nothing,” he said. “But nothing would make me happier than to be able to work with any of those people.”
The director was similarly cagey about talk that this will be the final film in the “Jurassic World” series. It would form a trilogy, just as the “Jurassic Park” movies did.
“I’m kind of a ‘one movie at a time’ kind of guy, so my eyes are on this one,” Trevorrow noted. “And it’s a celebration of everything that has existed in the franchise up until now.”
“Jurassic World 3” is slated to open in theaters June 11, 2021.
There has been a lot of talk, at least on a corporate level, about the ongoing “evolution” of Universal Studios Hollywood, the theme park perched on the side of a mountain, that exists cozily with a working movie studio. This talk began, in earnest, with the opening of the west coast version of the highly immersive Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and has continued with a number of projects, including the as-yet-unannounced Mario Kart attraction that is currently rising out of the ground on the lower lot, arguably the worst-kept secret in all of themed entertainment. But the word “evolution” was brought up a lot at last night’s dedication of the Jurassic World: The Ride attraction, an elaborate re-theme of the Jurassic Park: The Ride. As the park is evolving, so too must the ride.
But honestly, what an evolution it is. Jurassic World: The Ride is a smart, scary, totally sophisticated update that keeps the fundamentals of the original attraction while upping the scares and the storytelling significantly.
The original Jurassic Park: The Ride, was in development concurrently with the film, and was released, amazingly, just three years after the film’s release. Synthesizing elements of Michael Crichton’s best-selling novel (most notably the boat ride sequence) and Steven Spielberg’s paradigm-shifting blockbuster into a single, white-knuckle experience, it was, for many years, the high-water mark against what all other Universal attractions were judged. But recently the once-classic attraction seemed creaky, especially when, in 2015, “Jurassic World” was release, kick-starting a new, entirely separate leg of the franchise that the attraction had no relationship to.
So, somewhat quietly, last year, the original attraction was shuttered and plans were unveiled to turn Jurassic Park: The Ride into Jurassic World: The Ride, with the updated attraction officially opening to the public a couple of weeks ago.
And honestly, this is the most successful kind of redo — one that reminds you of the original ride (the track layout and, of course, that wicked drop, remain intact) while pushing things forward virtually everywhere else, like technologically and on a storytelling level.
One of the greatest additions to the attraction happens early on, as you’re drifting through a newly-enclosed section of the ride. That’s when you meet the Mosasaurus, the giant aquatic dinosaur that was featured prominently in both “Jurassic World” movies. It’s also where you’ll first get wet — really wet. (The combination of practical effects and the animation work by Industrial Light & Magic is phenomenal.) From there, you get more of a story than you did the last time around, set up during the pre-show in the queue but really hammered home in the actual attraction. Instead of just something going wrong and the dinosaurs getting out, the Indominous rex escapes, which leads to other system failures, and a confrontation with the T. Rex. It both closely follows the events of the first movie and allows for a more immersive experience; you feel like you were at Jurassic World when things started to go haywire.
What’s more, there are appearances by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in the attraction (and BD Wong in the queue), further adding to the immersion and deepening the storytelling. And the big show scene at the climax of the ride isn’t just a quick scare but an actual scene – you see a wonderful new animatronic of Pratt’s faithful Velociraptor sidekick Blue and huge, hulking figures of the Indominous and T. Rex. It feels like an altercation. And instead of simply seeing the T. Rex’s head, you see all of her.
This was made, of course, even more intense at night.
There will probably be die-hard Jurassic Park: The Ride fans out there, who will miss the old version of the attraction (don’t worry, it’s still in operation in Japan and Orlando). But this really is an improvement, start to finish. They’ve enclosed the ride at the right moments so your eyeline can no longer drift to the soundstages beyond and they’ve made everything scarier and more cohesive as a whole. The new animatronics are dazzling and actually seeing the characters from the movie in the attraction adds a lot. By the time Jurassic Park: The Ride said goodbye, it was old and tired and a nonessential part of your trip to Universal Studios. Now, with Jurassic World: The Ride, they have pumped some fresh blood into an ailing attraction and made a ride that everyone has to go on, even if you will end up soaking wet. Life, as Dr. Ian Malcolm once said, finds a way.
Netflix has ordered “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous,” a DreamWorks Animation series based on the blockbuster film franchise. It is slated to debut in 2020.
The show follows a group of six teenagers chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at a new adventure camp on the opposite side of Isla Nublar. But when dinosaurs wreak havoc across the island, the campers are stranded. Unable to reach the outside world, they’ll need to go from strangers to friends to family if they’re going to survive.
The storyline is set within the events of 2015’s “Jurassic World,” so it’s possible that the teens run into Chris Pratt’s Owen Grady or Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire Dearing.
“Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous” is the latest animated collaboration between DreamWorks and Netflix, following the “Tales of Arcadia” trilogy from Guillermo del Toro, “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,” and “The Boss Baby: Back in Business.”
