Author: Derrick Davis

Creator of JURASSIC TIME, the John Hammond Memoir and other features. Author of the upcoming novel INVERTIVERSE.

Unboxing Doctor Collector’s New ‘Jurassic Park – The Lost Memories’ Box + Designer Interview!

Posted on by Derrick Davis

One of the coolest products in the last few years for ‘Jurassic’ fans have been the Doctor Collector boxes. This includes the ‘Jurassic Park – Welcome Kit’ & the ‘Jurassic World – Apex Predator Kit,’ but coming July 9th (available for pre-order) is the brand-new ‘Jurassic Park – The Lost Memories Collector’s Box!’

I received an early copy of this box and can confirm that Doctor Collector “spared no expense!” Fans of both ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ will absolutely love it. Before I reveal a closer look, here is a breakdown of what’s included:

Step into the Jurassic legacy with this exclusive collector’s box, inspired by the unforgettable events of Jurassic Park (1993) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).

This set brings you never-before-seen stories, iconic moments, and hidden details from the films that started it all.

This kit contains the following:

  • Official Jurassic Park Guide Book (Includes 3D images)
  • 3D Viewer Jurassic Park Googles
  • Staff Vehicle 004 ID
  • R.Muldoon Key Car
  • Jurassic Park Huge Flag (The Lost World)
  • “Danger” Metal Sign
  • Jurassic Park gift bag
  • Ingen Envelope
  • Lex, Tim & John Hammond photo
  • Dennis Nedry Ingen ID Pass
  • Allan Grant and Ellie Sattler photo
  • D.Gennaro Business Card
  • Snakewater Dig site Report
  • Triceratops Veterinary Report
  • Vehicle instructions and safety guidelines Brochure
  • Jurassic Park Map
  • San Diego Teller Newspaper spread
  • Isla Las Cinco Muertes Map
  • Ingen Button Badge
  • T-Rex Photo
  • Exclusive Mr. DNA Trading Cards (website exclusive)

Now, see for yourself the detailed items contained in the box by watching my unboxing video via Jurassic Time!

My favorite items have got to be the ‘Jurassic Park Official Guidebook;’ Donald Gennaro’s Cowan, Swain & Ross card; and the ‘Lost World’ mural banner!

To celebrate this release, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with one of the box’s designers, Kiko Sánchez! Below is my exclusive interview with him that will give you a behind the scenes perspective on how these Doctor Collector sets are created.

Kiko Sánchez, you are an illustrator and graphic designer in Barcelona that makes detailed props and various film memorabilia. Which franchises inspire you the most for the art you create?

I draw a lot of inspiration from nostalgic franchises like ‘Back to the Future’ or ‘Jurassic Park,’ but ‘Harry Potter’ holds a special place in my heart. I actually started by creating maps and blueprints as a fan of that saga, and it was what pushed me to pursue this professionally. Thanks to ‘Harry Potter,’ I was able to reach a lot of people, and even though I’ve distanced myself from it a bit in recent years, it’s still very special to me.

How did you first get involved with Doctor Collector and what was your first assignment?

I’ve been working with them almost since the beginning. They saw my work and reached out to me for their first ‘Jurassic Park’ set, as they were recreating the famous yellow flyer from the first movie. They saw on my website that I had recreated it and got in touch with me.

Then, they started commissioning me for more specific projects, and we’ve never stopped collaborating. I’m happy to have started with them when they were still a very small company because I’ve seen them grow and carve out a niche in the market with their unique vision of merchandise, which is quite different from the usual commercial approach.

Several boxes and kits have been made by Doctor Collector for ‘Jurassic Park‘ & ‘Jurassic World.’ Which ones were you involved in, and in what capacities?

I think I’ve worked on all of them! My work is most prominent in the ‘Jurassic World’ sets, where I’ve contributed both as an illustrator and a graphic designer, as well as working on prop reproductions.

While the ‘Jurassic Park Welcome Kit‘ is one of my favorites, being related to the original film; the ‘Jurassic World Indominus Kit‘ is perhaps the one I like the most due to how comprehensively detailed it is. What did your work consist of for the ‘Indominus Kit?’

This was actually the project where I contributed the most designs. My most recognizable piece is the map of ‘Jurassic World’s’ Main Street, which was a very ambitious and detail-rich recreation. I loved working on that because maps and blueprints are my specialty as an illustrator, but I also did a lot of other work as a graphic designer.

For this set, I created many elements, like the welcome letter, tickets, coins, VIP passes, etc., but my favorite was the idea of the FastPass with different attraction tickets. I think that’s one of those props that only my colleagues at Doctor Collector would dare to make. I studied the ‘Jurassic World’ website and all the references I could find to understand exactly how a FastPass would work in that fictional world, adding little details that make it feel like a real object. I even studied the monorail stops to figure out how to get to the attractions on time. That’s always my goal—to make everything look as authentic and believable as possible.

Sometimes, there are small props that might go unnoticed, but I’m particularly fond of them. One example is the ‘Camp Cretaceous’ postcard. Initially, I suggested creating an illustrated map of the camp (I actually studied the camp thoroughly and even made sketches) that would unfold when opening the doors—a nod to the yellow flyer from ‘Jurassic Park.’ But in the end, we opted for a simpler version with a sign-up form for kids. It’s another example of an in-universe design that enhances a set, even if it might be overlooked among all the other materials.

For the new ‘Jurassic Park Lost Memories‘ box, what’s the story behind its creation?

This box was entirely conceived by my colleagues. In this case, I designed some really cool retro-style vehicle blueprints, inspired by the aesthetic of the first movie’s materials. Since the idea is for them to be part of the attraction’s safety guidelines, I had a lot of fun incorporating little details and nods to the film—like small instructions for using the touchscreen display.

The other major prop I designed for this set is the Las Cinco Muertes map. Fans will recognize the reference—it’s one of those props that you blink and miss. I used that map as a base to create a slightly more realistic version.

Was it ever difficult to get licensed movie images, such as the Las Cinco Muertes map, or is Doctor Collector given free reign by Universal to have access to certain archives & requests?

In my case, as we say in Spain, I “throw the stone and hide my hand” — meaning I propose the designs, submit them for approval, and cross my fingers, hoping they get accepted.

Overall, Universal understands what we’re doing. They often provide us with style guides and pre-prepared materials, but since we handle the license differently than, say, a T-shirt company, we often can’t use their ready-made graphics. For example, Universal isn’t able to provide a Las Cinco Muertes map—that’s why Doctor Collector commissioned me to create one.

Once my work is done, it goes through the approval process, and if it meets all the requirements, it gets approved without any issues. Fortunately, I’m not the one handling approvals!

I love that in this new box, and even prior boxes, there are novel references as well as movie ones. The “Cowan, Swain, & Ross” card is a lovely nod to fans of the novel.

We always put a lot of effort into making the materials both canon and surprising. We usually start with what’s mentioned in the movies and then try to take it a step further. You can tell we’re fans, right?

What is your favorite piece in the new ‘Lost Memories’ box?

I think you’re going to love the safety guidelines for the Park Drive Tour.

Do you expect more ‘Jurassic’ boxes on the horizon? What are some ideas you’d like to tackle next?

Absolutely! I have so much fun coming up with ideas for these sets. Can you imagine a kit featuring the Bone-Shaker flyer or the Marine Facility blueprints [from 2011’s ‘Jurassic Park: The Game’]? I’d love to work on something like that. If my bosses are listening, I’m giving them these ideas for free!

I’d like to thank Kiko for his time in answering my questions! You can find more of Kiko’s work for sale at his Etsy store and fantastic displays on his Instagram.

Are you going to order this new collector’s box? Does Kiko’s work inspire you to be a graphic designer? Leave your comments below, and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

Celebrate The 10th Anniversary Of ‘Jurassic World’ With 4 NEW Videos Of The ‘Extras Experience’ In New Orleans & Hawaii!

Posted on by Derrick Davis

10 years ago, ‘Jurassic World’ brought the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise back from extinction. Since then, two sequels have come out, with more underway. But for many, the first ‘Jurassic World’ holds a special time and place, bringing to life the excitement of what a functioning dinosaur park could have been like.

In 2013, it was finally announced that the fourth film was on the horizon. Rumors that it would feature a fully realized theme park on Isla Nublar, known as Jurassic World, led to many questions running in everyone’s minds. It was quite a surprising direction for the story that most people didn’t see coming. When filming began in 2014, many fans flocked for the chance to personally take part in the experience. Cameras rolled in Hawaii first, but soon after that their lenses focused on several massive sets in New Orleans.

AN EIGHT-PART VIDEO INTERVIEW SERIES

Featuring Incredible Behind The Scenes Memories, Images, & Footage!

In case you missed the original 4-part series, below is a rundown of what has come before. Otherwise, jump down to the new ’10th Anniversary Special.’

During 2023, Derrick Davis of Jurassic Time conversed with three fans who were lucky enough to have been extras (background cast members) at New Orleans: Anthony Feliciano, Bo Monarch, and Brent Kappel. Their discussions were edited into a 4-part video series that dove into the memories of their incredible experiences on the impressive sets of ‘Jurassic World.’ We got to hear their fun stories, along with a plethora of rare behind the scenes photos, video footage, and other unique imagery.

PART ONE: Mosasaur Stadium & Old Visitor Center

Anthony and Bo first describe what it was like filming the famous Mosasaur Stadium sequence. We learn how little of the set there actually was, and the simple methods used to create a much larger effect on screen. They also catch a glimpse of the original ‘Jurassic Park’ Visitor Center’s eerie ruins. Despite seeing the set from afar, it was enough to give them immense excitement.

PART TWO: Hammond’s Lab & Innovation Center

In the second segment, Anthony and Bo look back at their experiences inside the highly-detailed Hammond Creation Lab and Samsung Innovation Center sets. We get a fun recollection of what they thought their scenes were about while being filmed, as well as some props, like a map, that they were able to take home with them.

PART THREE: Main Street

For the third segment, Brent details the stunning Main Street set that was built next to an abandoned Six Flags amusement park. He gives us detailed descriptions of many Main Street locations, including the mostly-unseen Jurassic Traders Gift Shop, and the shock of Katie McGrath (who played Zara) performing some of her insane stunts on set.

PART FOUR: Deep In The Creation Lab

The fourth segment of this series features Brent describing what it was like portraying a scientist in the Hammond Creation Lab, then reveals several props that mysteriously left with him. He tells a funny story involving Chris Pratt, and one of the props he shows us features a dinosaur dietary chart.

Now, for the 10th anniversary of ‘Jurassic World’ in 2025, Derrick engaged in conversations with a new group of extras from New Orleans and Hawaii. Through these discussions, a wealth of new stories emerged, accompanied by a vast array of images and footage. This special retrospective on the ‘Jurassic World’ extras experience was compiled into another 4-part video series to celebrate the occasion.

PART ONE: Revisiting New Orleans

In the first segment, New Orleans extras Mariah Lambes, Chris Topher, Rob Miranda, and Brent Kappel discuss the Mosasaur Stadium, Samsung Innovation Center, and Main Street sets. For the first time, we learn about the hangar set, which is seen at the end of the film, where the survivors of Jurassic World gather after their terrible ordeals. An extraordinary act of kindness by the film’s director, Colin Trevorrow, is also revealed.

PART TWO: New Orleans Revelations

For the second segment, Mariah, Chris, Rob, and Brent describe more about the Main Street set in New Orleans, including a minor injury that occurred and the full version of Jimmy Buffett’s cameo. Attractions inspired by the film at Universal Studios theme parks, the use of digital doubles, and other surprising stories are also revealed.

PART THREE: Journey To Hawaii

The third segment takes us to Hawaii, where a whole new group of extras tell their stories about this location’s incredible sets. We begin with Audrey Chang, who describes the process of being an extra in Hawaii, what it was like being on the ferry that took visitors to Jurassic World, and arriving at the dock set. Cody Easterbrook continues the conversation as he describes the Indominus Rex paddock set, the original name of the hybrid dinosaur, his role in the film, and much more.

PART FOUR: Exploring Hawaii

In the final fourth segment, Hawaii extra Ryota Takuma recounts stories about the Gyrosphere Loading Station set at Kualoa Ranch and the Hilton Isla Nublar Hotel set at the Hawaii Convention Center. Ryota also describes being part of a deleted scene, with some rare images and footage to help illustrate it. The concluding conversation features film enthusiast and photographer Charlie Chai, who reveals one-of-a-kind images and footage that he captured from several of Hawaii’s sets. We even get an incredibly rare look at the ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ version of Main Street in ruins.

All the extras Derrick spoke with, and surely many others, finally got to see their work in June 2015 when the film premiered around the world. No matter what they thought of the final product, seeing themselves on the big screen was a huge thrill. While the rest of us may be envious of their experiences, it is wonderful to have their recollections joined with all the imagery to finally get a real sense of what these sets were truly like. And, if only for a short time, we can also imagine we visited ‘Jurassic World’ just as they had.

One can’t deny that Jurassic World brought a franchise back from extinction. After a decade, hearing memories from the film’s extras made me recall the excitement and fun that Jurassic World brought to my life. Learning more about the incredible sets with detailed images and footage made me appreciate the artistry even more. It truly feels like a real place, and for Jurassic World’s extras, it was. For the rest of us, every fan has their own special stories of what the entire Jurassic Park series means to them, and it’s in these stories that life has truly found a way to bring us all together.

Which set from ‘Jurassic World’ do you wish you could have visited the most? Were you also an extra in the film, and if so, what scenes were you in? Share your comments below, and as always, stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

Interviews conducted & videos created by Derrick Davis. Article written by Derrick Davis, duplicated at Jurassic Time & Derrick Davis Media.

Universal Studios Hollywood Reveals “Universal Mega Movie Summer” Event Featuring ‘Jurassic World Rebirth!’

Posted on by Derrick Davis

Watch/Listen To Derrick Davis Of Jurassic Time Read The Article + More Thoughts

‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ is nearly upon us, and I think all ‘Jurassic’ fans are ready to celebrate! While ticket sales are not currently active, many are likely already planning fun activities to go along with the release of the latest film. One thing people have been clamoring for is a grand event akin to the one at Universal Studios Hollywood for Jurassic Park’s 25th Anniversary. I attended the 3-day event, a weekend getaway with hundreds of ‘Jurassic’ fans. It’s an experience I will always cherish. However, some would even be fine with something smaller, like the one-day Generation Jurassic event.

Well, it looks like we will have an event (sort of) just in time for the release of ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ at Universal Studios Hollywood with Universal Mega Movie Summer!

Soak up the fun at the all-new Universal Mega Movie Summer with splash-filled attractions like Jurassic World – The Ride, now featuring the brand-new Mosasaurus Splash! Meet your favorite characters and snap photos at new photo ops, celebrate iconic anniversaries like 50 years of Jaws and 40 years of Back to the Future, and indulge in movie-inspired eats and treats (available for in-park purchase). It’s a summer celebration like no other!

Celebrate Jurassic World Rebirth at Universal Mega Movie Summer with all-new character meet and greets, a dinosaur scavenger hunt, and an enhanced Mosasaurus splash encounter on Jurassic World – The Ride.

The event is from June 13 to August 10, 2025. Admission is included with a Theme Park Ticket or Annual/Season Pass (blockout dates apply); meaning no special or additional tickets are required.

Inside Universal reveals several more details:

Jurassic World—The Ride Featuring Mosasaurus Splash, inspired by the highly anticipated movie Jurassic World: Rebirth, opening in theaters on July 2, the theme park’s popular thrill ride will see the iconic 84-foot water drop at the ride’s finale “reverberate” with the menacing roar of a Mosasaurus. Four new Spitter dinosaurs will join the melee, and water geysers will erupt to shower guests.

It’ll be curious to see how this enhanced version of the ride plays out, especially with the extra Spitter animatronics and somehow adding a “reverb” from the Mosasaurus at the end. Especially since the mosasaur does not currently appear at the end of the ride, as this detail is insinuating. Otherwise, it sounds like they are amping up the wet factor, too. This reminds me of the ‘Jurassic Park 3 Summer Splash’ event the park had when ‘Jurassic Park 3’ came out that summer, where they simply amped up the water levels to the extreme.

An all-new “adorable dinosaur” from Jurassic World Rebirth will join Blue the Velociraptor, Juliet the Triceratops, and Baby Tango. The dinosaurs will engage with guests alongside the debut of an all-new adventure character inspired by Jurassic World Rebirth.

This “adorable dinosaur” is likely the Aquilops, “Delores,” from ‘Rebirth,’ but it remains to be seen!

A Spinosaurus dinosaur photo op will welcome guests to step into a thrilling scene from the film for a memorable photo, and a new scavenger hunt game featuring Compy will entertain and engage guests.

While ‘Rebirth’ has new designs for the Spinosaurus, I can only imagine they are simply bringing back the lifesize Spinosaurus bust modeled after ‘Jurassic Park 3’ that used to be alongside ‘Jurassic Park: The Ride’ until it was transformed into ‘Jurassic World: The Ride.” Ever since, the Spinosaurus has been part of the Studio Tour. The “dinosaur scavenger hunt” is curious, but perhaps for the kids: maybe something for the “Dino Play” area? We’ll have to wait until more details emerge.

Jurassic Cafe will serve new dishes, and Isla Nubar will feature new cocktails, such as The Jurassic Water Rebirth and Spicy Jurassic Paradise.

Although it isn’t mentioned, new merchandise will also be available. These new pictures below were just unveiled that show several new designs with ‘Rebirth’ themes, from sweaters to coffee mugs.

It should also be noted that Universal Studios Orlando is already carrying some of the ‘Rebirth’ toys, and it’s likely the Hollywood park also will by the time this event is underway. (Picture credit to J. Malone.)

While it’s great that Universal Studios Hollywood is at least doing something to celebrate ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ it is less of a dedicated event specifically for the franchise and merely plopped amongst other stuff that will be accessible to all parkgoers. I was truly expecting something on the level of the amazing Back To The Future event that they’ve had, and it is surprising that an older (and still amazing) film got that kind of love over a much bigger franchise that is getting a new film this year. Alas, it was not meant to be (unless Universal Studios Orlando/Islands Of Adventure have something planned).

‘Jurassic’ fans have a big summer ahead of them nonetheless, and it would definitely be worth it to make a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood and organize get-togethers alongside this special experience. The park also has a Citywalk with its own AMC theater, making a viewing party with a theme park experience something few of us would want to pass up.

Will you be going to the Universal Mega Movie Summer event to celebrate ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ at Universal Studios Hollywood? Or are you waiting for an event closer to home? Is it disappointing something bigger and more catered to the fans wasn’t planned instead? Share your thoughts below and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

Pre-Order ‘Jurassic Park – The Lost Memories’ New Doctor Collector Box!

Posted on by Derrick Davis

Coming soon from Doctor Collector, creators of the ‘Jurassic Park – Welcome Kit’ & the ‘Jurassic World – Apex Predator Kit,’ is the brand-new ‘Jurassic Park – The Lost Memories Collector’s Box!’

Step into the Jurassic legacy with this exclusive collector’s box, inspired by the unforgettable events of Jurassic Park (1993) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).

This set brings you never-before-seen stories, iconic moments, and hidden details from the films that started it all.

On April 9th, the pre-sale for this exclusive “Web Edition” of the Collector’s Box goes live, which includes exclusive Mr. DNA trading cards! You can set up a notification reminder right now so you don’t miss out.

This kit contains the following:

  • Official Jurassic Park Guide Book (Includes 3D images)
  • 3D Viewer Jurassic Park Googles
  • Staff Vehicle 004 ID
  • R.Muldoon Key Car
  • Jurassic Park Huge Flag (The Lost World)
  • “Danger” Metal Sign
  • Jurassic Park gift bag
  • Ingen Envelope
  • Lex, Tim & John Hammond photo
  • Dennis Nedry Ingen ID Pass
  • Allan Grant and Ellie Sattler photo
  • D.Gennaro Business Card
  • Snakewater Dig site Report
  • Triceratops Veterinary Report
  • Vehicle instructions and safety guidelines Brochure
  • Jurassic Park Map
  • San Diego Teller Newspaper spread
  • Isla Las Cinco Muertes Map
  • Ingen Button Badge
  • T-Rex Photo
  • Exclusive Mr.DNA Trading Cards (exclusive in our website)

Fans of both ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ should find plenty to love, so don’t miss out on this new box from Doctor Collector!

Are you going to order this new collector’s box? Which item inside spoke to you the most? Leave your comments below, and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

See The Work Of Two ‘Jurassic’ Legends At The ‘Design +’ Cinematic Art Exhibit!

Posted on by Derrick Davis

It’s a very ‘Jurassic’ year with the new film, ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ on the horizon. There’s also a new game (maybe two?) and a new season of Chaos Theory to look forward to. Well, adding to this packed list is a chance for people to see the work by two absolute legends who helped create the ‘Jurassic’ films!

If you’re in the Los Angeles, California area from March 8th-March 29th, be sure to see the ‘Design +’ Cinematic Art Exhibition. It will feature the work of Rick Carter, the production designer of ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park,’ as well as Joanna Johnston, the costume designer of ‘Jurassic World: Dominion!’ Their incredible work from various films (ranging from ‘Back To The Future’ to ‘Forrest Gump’) will be on display, along with several other esteemed artists.

‘Design +‘ is a cinematic art exhibition featuring the original designs and artworks of 2 time Academy Award winner Rick Carter, Costume Designer Joanna Johnston, and Production Designer Anne Seibel. The exhibition explores filmmaking through each Artist’s personal and collaborative process. From Midnight in Paris to Forrest Gump, visitors will be able to see the original artworks behind Hollywood set designs and costume designs. The exhibition will run from March 8th until March 29th at the Berrics Art Society and will include weekend programming and discussions with Steve Berra, the Urban Film Festival of Paris’s François Gautret, and Silicon Beach’s Jon V.  With the original artworks exhibited, visitors will be able to see collaborations by Los Angeles painters “Aiseborn” and “Kopyeson” from the exhibit “TIME” at ESMoA. Lastly we are proud to have partnered with Studio Auctions to showcase iconic film memorabilia from the films of these Artists and beyond.

Featured at the exhibit are several artworks for sale, including concept designs by Rick Carter for ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park!’

Immerse yourself in a world of film history before time runs out! In fact, a DeLorean from ‘Back To The Future’ will be on display to take you back to the time of the dinosaurs!

A special short film festival event will also be held at the exhibit on March 22nd, featuring the following panelists: Production Designer Rick Carter, Costume Designer Joanna Johnston, X-Files Creator Chris Carter, Olympian Andy Anderson, Urban Film Festival Founder Francois Gautret. Print signings will also be available. This is the perfect chance to meet Rick Carter & Joanna Johnston in-person, surrounded by their spectacular work!

Exhibition Dates: March 8th until March 29th

Artists: Rick Carter, Joanna Johnston, Anne Seibel, Aiseborn, Kopyeson, Bastien

Grand Opening: March 8th from 2pm until 6pm

Venue & Hours: Berrics Art Society | 609 South Anderson Street Los Angeles, CA 90023 (Open by appointment during the week, except for the March 22nd ‘Urban Films’ event.)

Exhibition Producers: Steve Berra & Jim Carter

Weekend Programming/Partners: The Berrics, Urban Film Festival, RStyle, Studio Auctions, ESMoA, 608 Studios, Legacy West Media, UC Santa Cruz

For more information about the exhibit & the event, visit Legacy West Media.

Do you plan to attend? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

‘Jurassic Park 3’ Soundtrack By Don Davis Gets A New 2-CD Release!

Posted on by Derrick Davis

La-La Land Records has been hitting a homerun with ‘Jurassic Park’ fans over the years. In 2016, they released a double CD set of expanded and remastered soundtracks for the classic John Williams scores ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park,’ with both getting sperate releases (and even more material) in 2022 & 2023 respectively. This year, they have a new soundtrack release for the franchise’s third film, ‘Jurassic Park 3,’ composed by Don Davis! But what sets it apart from previous releases, and is it a definitive presentation of the score? Let’s take a walk in the park and find out!

In 2001, the soundtrack was released on CD in the form of a 54-minute album via Decca records. Composer Don Davis (‘The Matrix Trilogy’) assembled this 1-CD release himself, combining some cues together to form certain tracks, and arranging it all in his own personal sequence. Unlike the John Williams scores for the prior films, this one is nearly wall-to-wall action (just like the film). While it runs through every scene, it also expertly weaves themes established by Williams in very fun and clever ways. Also included on the album was the 1999 Randy Newman song “Big Hat, No Cattle,” which puzzled fans since it is only briefly heard in the film during an early bar scene in the background. While this album featured a decent amount of the score (about 50 minutes of Davis’s material), it did leave off several noteworthy cues that were heard in the film. Some of these were favorites of those who had seen the film, such as the climactic showdown with the Spinosaurus, expecting to find them on the album but ending up disappointed.

Interesting to note is that this album was an “Enhanced CD.” If put into a computer’s CD or DVD ROM drive, it would open a program with access to special features, including: the film’s trailer, a dinosaur size chart, photos, website access, a text conversation with Don Davis, and a trailer for the unreleased PlayStation game ‘Jurassic Park: Survival.’ (It should be noted that the new 2024 soundtrack release does NOT include any of this content.) While this 2001 CD Album is now out of print, it can at least be bought for relatively cheap prices in the secondary market and is also easily available for digital purchase.

It’s been theorized that because the album’s CD needed extra space for the enhanced content (along with the Randy Newman song), it forced Don Davis to make his arrangement of the cues shorter than perhaps he wanted. This explains why the score’s runtime on the album is about 20 minutes shorter than the albums were for ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park.’ In fact, it could have otherwise included even more additional music, given the format’s size limits of about 80 minutes.

Curiously, about a year after the album was released, an “Academy Promo” CD was sent out for Oscar consideration that found its way online (perhaps by Dennis Nedry?). This longer, unofficial version of the soundtrack contained several additional tracks not included on the commercial Decca release, including many extended film versions of existing tracks. (However, it did not include the Randy Newman song nor any of the “Enhanced CD” content.) Some of the additional highlights include music for when the raptor eggs are discovered in the jungle, the Spinosaurus chasing the group toward the aviary’s entrance, and the film’s entire climax tracks (albeit with a fuller mix and additional orchestrations). Since this wasn’t an official release that one could find in stores, these unique tracks were shared with many fans through internet piracy. Over the past two decades, this was unfortunately the only way for anyone to hear the extended version of the soundtrack apart from watching the film itself.

Now, La-La Land Records presents a brand-new 2024 expanded release. This edition includes both the original soundtrack album, the additional tracks from the Academy promo, & more!

La-La Land Records, Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Decca Records present JURASSIC PARK III, a limited edition 2-CD remastered and expanded presentation of acclaimed composer Don Davis’ (THE MATRIX, THE MATRIX RELOADED, BOUND) original motion picture score to the blockbuster second sequel in the legendary JURASSIC PARK franchise, starring Sam Neill, William H. Macy and Tea Leoni, and directed by Joe Johnston. Expertly interpolating, and building on, maestro John Williams’ iconic JURASSIC themes, composer Davis propels the film’s excitement even further with his own powerhouse, original orchestral material. Expanded and sounding better than ever, JURASSIC PARK III shines brilliantly – it’s robust, thematic high-octane film scoring that finally gets to shine in full within this deluxe release. Produced by Mike Matessino and Neil S. Bulk, newly edited by Bulk and mixed and mastered by Matessino from the original 24 bit film mixes, this 2-CD presentation showcases the original 2001 soundtrack release remastered on Disc 1, with the expanded film score spread across both discs, concluding with additional tracks on Disc 2. The exclusive, in-depth liner notes are by John Takis, including new comments from the composer, while the sharp art design is by Jim Titus, continuing the eye-catching style he employed for our JURASSIC PARK and THE LOST WORLD re-issues. This is a limited edition of 3000 Units.

The presentation of this edition of the score is the opposite of how their 2022 ‘Jurassic Park’ release was done: the original album is on the first CD, followed by the first section of the expanded score, with the rest of it and some additional alternates on the second CD. The release was presented this way due to space limitations on the CD format and their own personal preferences. The original album was included due to unique edits & takes that several of the tracks had and, of course, the Randy Newman song. For those already familiar with the original album, or want to skip to the expanded presentation, you’ll want to begin with track 17 on CD 1.

Right away, we hear something new: the film version of ‘Isla Sorna Sailing Situation.’ The only real addition to this cue is a sustained note near the beginning (as the film’s title cards are appearing on screen, and the water ripples). Other film versions as heard on the Academy promo are present, such as ‘Bone Man Ben,’ ‘Raptor Repartee,’ and ‘Cooper’s Last Stand.’ But what will be exciting for fans of the score are a few other film versions heard for the first time, such as ‘Dinosaur Man,’ ‘The Dinosaur Fly-By,’ and most notably ‘The Raptor Room’ (which includes an alternate segment and a longer moment with the choir). Additional alternates include an alternate opening to ‘Clash Of Extinction’ (a cue not heard in the film in any form), an alternate ending for ‘Raptor In The Cabin,’ and an alternate ending for ‘River Reminiscence.’ A major highlight, presented in extended form, is ‘The Hat Returns / End Credits,’ which showcases the full version of the end credits for the first time (longer, and arranged differently, than what is heard in the film).

However, despite having all of the Academy promo tracks (making those bootlegs of it finally obsolete), and a few other film versions of cues; there are still several missing, without any explanation. Most notably not on this release are film versions (or, what could be vastly different ‘film mixes’ that remove some of the brass and other instruments from their original compositions) of ‘Frenzy Fuselage,’ ‘River Rampage,’ and ‘Paul Makes A Leap.’ What’s interesting is that some of these tracks do have supposed “extended” versions on this release, but when hearing them there are no discernable differences. Listening closely, there are only either very minor performance differences or a sustained note with a longer fadeout at the end. The cues ‘Party Crasher,’ ‘Brachiosaurs On The Bank,’ and ‘Pteranodon Habitat’ have different openings or endings entirely in the film as well, and are also not present here. ‘Pteranodon Habitat’ has a timpani-heavy ending in the film, and while it is not certain if this piece was even composed by Don Davis, it would have been nice to have gleamed some explanation. Unfortunately, the liner notes (while detailed on the film’s history and the making of the score) don’t give us any intel on this topic.

Do these omissions taint the release of this soundtrack? That may depend on how much you were hoping to have those versions of the tracks. Neither me nor Bernard A. Kyer (who provided some details mentioned in this review) were asked to participate in this release like we did for ‘Jurassic Park’ in 2022 and ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ in 2023, so we can’t explain the absence of these film versions. There is a chance that the elements used in the film could not be found, or some strange rights issues, but without any information given we can only speculate. In my personal opinion, I do prefer the fuller orchestrated versions of these tracks that are included rather than what can be heard in the film.

Omissions aside, this is still the best release the ‘Jurassic Park 3’ soundtrack has ever had. The clever cover artwork that matches the prior two releases is fantastic, the sound quality is great, we finally have an official release of the Academy promo’s tracks, and it provides several film versions of cues people have wanted to hear outside of the film ever since it came out. With the original album also included at the beginning, there really is no need to own the previous release unless you want to hang onto the “Enhanced CD” content (if it even works on your computer anymore).

Listen to some sound clips of the new release below, then be sure to order your copy from La-La Land Records today!

TRACK LISTING (with select sound clips):

DISC 1
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM (54:28)
1 Isla Sorna Sailing Situation 4:21
2 The Dinosaur Fly-By 2:13
3 Cooper’s Last Stand 1:59
4 The Raptor Room 2:35
5 Raptor Repartee 3:04
6 Tree People 2:00
7 Pteranodon Habitat 3:01
8 Tiny Pecking Pteranodons 3:34
9 Billy Oblivion 2:49
10 Brachiosaurus
On The Bank 2:05
11 Nash Calling 3:36
12 Bone Man Ben 7:18
13 Frenzy Fuselage 3:58
14 Clash Of Extinction 1:39
15 The Hat Returns / End Credits 5:07
16 Big Hat, No Cattle 4:24
Performed by Randy Newman

SCORE PRESENTATION (85:07)
17 Isla Sorna Sailing Situation (Film Version) 4:26
18 Dinosaur Man 1:43
19 Udesky, Nash And Cooper 2:29
20 The Raptor Bone 1:18
21 Raptor In The Cabin 1:52
22 The Dinosaur Fly-By (Film Version) 2:28
23 Cooper’s Last Stand (Extended Version) 2:52
24 Frenzy Fuselage (Extended Version) 4:08
25 Clash Of Extinction 1:40
DISC 1 TOTAL TIME: 77:40

DISC 2
SCORE PRESENTATION CONT’D
1 Kirby Paint And Tile Plus 4:07
2 Bone Man Ben (Film Version) 3:39
3 Raptor Eggs 2:54
4 The Raptor Room (Film Version) 2:44
5 Raptor Repartee (Film Version) 3:28
6 Eric To The Rescue 1:52
7 Tree People (Film Version) 2:02
8 Nash Calling 3:36
9 Party Crasher 3:16
10 Pteranodon Habitat 3:01
11 Tiny Pecking Pteranodons (Film Version) 3:24
12 Billy Oblivion (Film Version) 2:54
13 Brachiosaurus On The Bank 2:05
14 Reaching For Glory 2:32
15 River Rampage 2:13
16 Paul Makes The Leap 2:59
17 River Reminiscence 1:07
18 Raptor Harassment 3:41
19 The Hat Returns / End Credits (Extended Version) 10:02

ADDITIONAL MUSIC (13:14)
20 Dinosaur Man (Alternate) 1:43
21 Raptor In The Cabin (Alternate) 1:52
22 Cooper’s Last Stand (Alternate) 2:38
23 Clash Of Extinction (Alternate Opening) 1:46
24 River Rampage (Alternate Ending) 2:11
25 River Reminiscence (Alternate Ending) 1:08
26 Dinosaur Man (With Choir) 1:44
DISC 2 TOTAL TIME: 75:18
TOTAL 2-DISC TIME: 2:32:58

Still available from La-La Land Records are their 2-CD remastered/expanded reissues of ‘Jurassic Park’ & ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park!’ Don’t miss your chance to own the ultimate versions of those scores as well!

Note: Additional images of physical product provided by Matthieu Munoz.

Are you going to get this new release of the ‘Jurassic Park 3’ soundtrack? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and as always stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ Celebrates 25th Anniversary With New Soundtrack Release!

Posted on by Derrick Davis

BBC’s 1999 TV mini-series ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ is one of my favorite dinosaur media productions that has ever been made. It became “the most-watched factual science programme on British TV of the 20th century,” spawning an entire genre of dinosaur documentaries where we truly felt like we were part of their world. I remember watching its broadcast on the Discovery Channel and being absolutely blown away. Despite its outdated science, the original ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ remains the pinnacle of how to tell these stories in a way that is completely alluring, realistic, and genuinely moving. It’s a cinematic classic that is personally unrivaled, although next year a new series with the same name will be released.

To celebrate the original program’s 25th anniversary, composer Ben Bartlett is reissuing his majestic and memorable score on digital platforms! Performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, this score was the winner of the BAFTA for “Best Original Television Music” in 2000, and its legacy has been lovingly endured by its fans ever since.

Composer Ben Bartlett says:

“I am super excited to be re-releasing my music for Walking With Dinosaurs after 25 years, and to revisit my musical roots in orchestral music. Listening to these tracks again I am struck with how fresh they sound. I feel I am coming full circle after living a quarter of a century in TV and Film music production, and liberating a musical spirit from its amber mould.”

“Over the years I have received heartwarming messages from both aspiring composers and paleontologists. Some now mature scientists have expressed gratitude for the music for the iconic show Walking With Dinosaurs, as during their childhood it tapped into emotions beyond the reach of pure science, and driving a passion for paleontology. I am incredibly touched that over the years Composers have frequently got in touch to connect about how the music led them to pursue careers in music for picture, and the score has been used at music colleges around the world.”

The score is available on various digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, & Qobuz (high resolution audio).

This new soundtrack release appears to be remastered and is a tad louder than before. In terms of music that was previously unreleased, there are really only two tracks.

The opening track “Walking With Dinosaurs” omits the Kenneth Branagh dialogue that played over the original CD version from 1999 (he was the narrator on the original program) in favor of simply the music. While some may miss that edit, I personally am happy to finally have this piece of music without it. Interestingly, the opening brass statement (and perhaps the rest) sounds like a different performance as well.

The second track with unreleased music comes near the 2:50 mark of the aptly renamed “Torosaurs Lock Horns Plus,” providing about a minute of new material.

A few tracks from the score actually appear to have slightly less music compared to the original CD release, but in minor ways that may not be detected by most in the form of micro-edits. The biggest example of this is “Cruel Sea,” which is over 40 seconds shorter than its CD counterpart. It seems to mostly remove some of the track’s repetition in parts, but it is curious such an edit was made for a digital release when length is not relevant. I can only assume this was done by Ben Bartlett for his own personal preferences, but completists may want to hang onto their CDs to retain the minor omissions. Because of this, and other music from the show that is still missing from this release, I hesitate to refer to this as a “complete” release myself.

After the “End Credits” track, there are three additional tracks from the ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ special ‘The Ballad Of Big Al’ (aka ‘Allosaurus’). These were previously on the CD album for the ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ sequel production from 2001, ‘Walking With Beasts.’ It’s more appropriate to now have them included on this release, featuring some of the most rousing action music of the entire saga in “Battle Of The Salt Plains.”

The ‘Walking With Beasts’ soundtrack also has a new digital release of its equally fantastic score. It includes several never-before-heard tracks from the program, performed by the BBC Singers, and is available at the same Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, & Qobuz (high resolution audio) links.

While the ‘Beasts’ soundtrack release is also not “complete,” it does feature about 18 minutes of previously unreleased music; covering episodes of the program that weren’t represented before. This will be a godsend for fans, since the original soundtrack CD album was apparently fast-tracked for release before the final two episodes were even scored. This is something Ben Bartlett has wanted to rectify ever since, making this new release an important milestone.

For fans of ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ who have never heard the ‘Beasts’ score, it features much more percussive elements throughout and a darker overall tone (ala ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’). Several tracks also feature very effective choir, usually in the form of chants, that give it a striking identity not present in the previous score. Definitely worth a listen, especially in this extended release.

Previously, AI artwork was used for both digital album covers but was quickly changed to instead feature the composer among museum displays. A forthcoming vinyl release of both scores will apparently feature original paleo artwork for their covers. No ETA on those releases just yet, or if the digital versions will have their album artwork updated to match. Sadly, CD collectors, like me, appear to be omitted from all releases (the format isn’t dead yet!).

Despite the mentioned issues of both score releases, it is still great to have them widely available again for everyone to hear. I think every ‘Jurassic Park’ fan should give them a listen (and perhaps throw Bartlett’s name in the ring to score ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth?’). Hopefully Blu-Ray releases of the original programs themselves will also be on the way to celebrate the anniversary!

Do you remember the original ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ mini-series from 1999 and its sequels/spinoffs (including ‘Prehistoric Park‘ starring Nigel Marvin)? Reminisce in the comments below, and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

NOTE: This article was updated on 10/22/2024 to reflect album cover updates & more information on the ‘Walking With Beasts’ soundtrack.

A Fun & Thrilling New Novel ‘Mara Brown: White Death’ Takes Readers Into Its Own Jurassic World!

Posted on by Derrick Davis

It’s a long road we have to drive on before we reach the release day of ‘Jurassic World 4.’ While filming has begun, there are mostly just rumors floating around. Anyone else a little tired of those? Perhaps during this time we should check out other dinosaur-related content. Well, I’ve got a new novel for you that may pique your interest: ‘Mara Brown: White Death!’

Synopsis: Just off of the Florida’s Atlantic coast lies Egret Island; the one place on earth where humans and dinosaurs live side-by-side. However, when something not entirely human nor dinosaur begins stalking the island by night, Mara Brown is the only one able to stand up and fight back. Becoming the vigilante known as the White Death, Mara sets out to defend her home and determine the origins of these mysterious new predators.

It features original vibrant artwork that was wonderfully illustrated by Arturo Garcia!

Author Billy Reed is “[…] a lifelong fan of dinosaurs, video games, and movies. He has a passion for mental health awareness and believes that everyone should spend their time doing the things that make them feel happy and fulfilled. His literary works serve as a love letter to the media he grew up with such as the creature feature movies and the action-heavy cartoons of the 90s and 2000s.”

Billy spoke exclusively to Jurassic Outpost about his passionate inspiration and process for creating his novel:

[I was inspired by] my lifelong love of dinosaurs and paleo media in general. I really wanted to write a story with dinosaurs unlike anything that had been done before. In 2018 when ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ came out, I really started thinking of stories where people and dinosaurs coexist. I found that concept really fascinating. Like what if a Parasaurolophus was no different from a deer crossing the road. Over the next year, I kept coming up with new story elements for this setting. I started adding elements from other media I grew up with like a wise-cracking protagonist with an indomitable spirit, a shady mega corporation, and other ideas for unique monsters that the dinosaurs of this world could interact with.

My FIRST draft of the story was made in 2019 and never saw the light of day. It was drastically different from what the story eventually became. It was a lot more of a mystery type story than the sci-fi action story I would eventually make. Then in 2020 when the pandemic hit, I decided to revamp it and make it into a novel trilogy. This idea lasted until around mid-2022. At that point I wrote two novels that I put out on Amazon but was kind of burnt out on that setting. I also felt like I had improved a lot as a writer and had a lot of things about the story I wanted to change. The last thing I did for that continuity was a comic that was beautifully illustrated by Emily Stepp. You can find that one on my Instagram in its entirety.

In 2022 I decided I would entirely redo the story and make it just one book this time. This would be the definitive version of the story and I decided in advance I would give myself as much time to work on it as I needed. And after two consecutive years of work, we have the novel you can find on Amazon today!

The publishing process [wasn’t] too hard since I opted for Amazon’s self-publishing. It’s a free to use service that Amazon offers which is very user friendly and easy to figure out. I genuinely love that they provide anyone with a platform to get their stories out there.

‘Mara Brown: White Death’ is now available in paperback and eBook/Kindle formats through Amazon! It sounds like a fun and intriguing story in a dinosaur world that many fans of the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise can feel right at home in, especially during this time before ‘Jurassic World 4’ arrives.

Do you plan to check out ‘Mara Brown: White Death?’ Are there other dinosaur-related novels you are reading in anticipation of more official ‘Jurassic Park’ content? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest.

Prop Collector Discovers Shot From A Deleted Moment In Jurassic Park

Posted on by Derrick Davis

Today, a piece of film history has been unearthed. ‘Jurassic Park’ may be over 30 years old, but we are still discovering pieces of its past.

Mark Bushey, a prop collector who specializes in horror film artifacts, came across an amazing find from eBay.

“[It is an] S-Test — Publicity Stills for Jurassic Park, dated March 02, 1993. Unlike 35mm trailers, this is not a trailer and there is no audio track anywhere on the film and the images appear horizontal, rather than vertical like traditional trailers.”

While on the surface this strange find looks like it is merely stills from the film that we have all seen before, there is one image that stands out from the rest. I will say in advance to please NOT share the following images without giving credit to Mark Bushey. He has given us permission to use them for this article. And just to clarify, he does not have the scene itself, only the still image via the reel amongst the other still images:

The still image is from a scene/shot that was cut from ‘Jurassic Park,’ a fun moment during the arrival of the park’s guests on the island. Grant mistakes a Brachiosaurus leg for a tree trunk, which then suddenly moves. Following that we get the full reveal of the majestic animal, as shown in the final film. This brief moment was storyboarded and depicted in David Koepp’s script, but it was unknown if it was shot or had completed ILM VFX. Now, we now know both were true.

In my opinion, I can actually see why this shot was cut. While ILM’s Brachiosaurus looks amazing for its time, the dinosaur’s leg doesn’t quite match the trees as well as it was depicted in John Bell‘s storyboards (as seen above, thanks to Astrid Vega). It is possible that Spielberg later cut this moment since it’s not as effective as originally envisioned, but something he wouldn’t have known for sure until the final shot was realized.

Rick Carter’s Jurassic Park depicts an early version of the sequence with the storyboards and an older script.

Given that these stills were dated March of 1993, months before its June release, there is a wonder if a slightly longer cut of the film did exist at one point that included these completed moments. For years, some fans have touted seeing a longer cut (specifically in the UK by people like Jamie Arnold) during the beginning of its theatrical run. Stills of other cut scenes have been found over the years, but so far the only footage we have ever seen of one is in the film’s trailer: Ellie Sattler grabbing a leaf on their way to the Brachiosaurus. But this new Brachiosaur leg image is the first time we have seen a deleted moment that had completed VFX.

While Mark is ecstatic with his incredibly rare find, he is willing to consider parting with it for the right price. If interested, contact him through his Facebook page.

(Special thanks to Jiří Alpharaptor Schön for pointing out this amazing find!)

Will we ever see an extended cut of ‘Jurassic Park?’ Will other stills of deleted scenes, or footage, find their way online in the meantime? What do you think of this newly-discovered Brachiosaur leg shot? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest news about the past and future!

Malta Is Back For ‘Jurassic World 4,’ But Not In The Way You Think

Posted on by Derrick Davis

Do you remember the last time you saw a dinosaur? Well, for Jurassic fans, it was officially back in 2022 when ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ roared into theaters. In 2025, we’ll all get our next chance to see our beloved dinosaurs from the franchise (and likely new ones) making their way to theater screens once again. However, the film still hasn’t even been shot yet! Strong rumors and scoops point to (Jurassic) June being the start of filming for the Gareth Edwards-helmed project. Sky Studios and Thailand are confirmed locations for ‘Jurassic World 4’ (unofficial title), as well as Malta. In a new article today from Times of Malta, the country has expanded upon just how it will likely be used in the latest Jurassic film.

“The production has booked almost all facilities at the Malta Film Studios in Kalkara this summer and is set to shoot bet­ween July and September, multiple film industry sources told Times of Malta. The world-renowned franchise will only film part of its latest movie in Malta and there are no shoots scheduled on location.”

What’s interesting about this reveal is that while ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ filmed on-location in Malta for its entertaining middle portion of the film (which included exteriors for the ‘dinosaur black market’ and the famous, or infamous, chase scene between Chris Pratt and a pack of Atrociraptors), it never used any of its studios or facilities. The reveal of the new entry in the series not including any “on location” shoots is also quite revealing, as this possibly nixes any theory of returning to Malta’s locations from ‘Dominion.’ This also puzzles us further as to whether the new film really is a sequel, a prequel, or something in-between. In that case, why shoot at Malta’s facilities at all when they already are shooting in facilities at Sky Studios?

“The Malta Film Studios offers, among other facilities, two infinite-horizon water tanks that film productions generally use for large-scale sound effects and underwater shooting.”

Well, the article reveals the possible answer for that, too. “Water tanks.” Big ones. The filmmakers must have known of them from when they filmed ‘Dominion’ and remembered for this film. Does this spell a return for the popular Mosasaur, as featured in the ‘Jurassic World’ trilogy? It is also possible we are getting an entirely new prehistoric sea reptile, such as a Plesiosaur. Or there could just be an intense sequence in the water without any dinosaur or prehistoric creature at all (but that would certainly be a missed opportunity). We’ll just have to wait and see.

There is still so much we don’t know about the new film from director Gareth Edwards and screenwriter David Koepp! It still hasn’t even been officially confirmed that star Scarlett Johanson is truly in the film (although the safety of that rumor is pretty much guaranteed at this point). What we do know is that all of us are excited to find out on July 2nd, 2025!

Are you intrigued by this news? Do you still think we’ll see any of the Malta locations from ‘Dominion?’ Will the mosasaur make a return? Leave your comments below and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!