Entertainment Weekly have exclusively revealed that Jeff Goldblum will not only return in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, but will also reprise his iconic role in the upcoming video game, set for release this year!
In the announcement video above, the actor endorses the upcoming game by Frontier:
“I’m going to be with you the whole game as Dr. Ian Malcolm. I highly recommend it – it gets 10 Goldblums out of a possible 10 Goldblums. That’s my highest rating.”
While you will not be able to play as Ian Malcolm, the character will return in the game in an advisory role to guide you through the decision making process, much like the voices that guided you through the gameplay in Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis.
Not only will be see the Goldblum return on screens this Summer, we will also hear his tender tones in the new video game.
Jurassic World: Evolution is set for release this Summer on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It was announced at GamesCon 2017 and will put you in charge of the world’s greatest tourist destination – Jurassic World.
When Jurassic World released, the online discussion was mired with debate and controversy – sometimes forced, othertimes earned.
One of the talking points that stuck (other than high heels and Zara’s death) was Clarie Dearing’s (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) ownership of blame for the Jurassic World incident, which led to many civilian, staff, dinosaur, and private military deaths. As the parks Operations Manager, audiences questioned why the movie didn’t end with her being jailed – an argument that at the time I felt was weak, with no real gravitas.
The movie goes out of its way to show that InGen and Simon Masrani were running the show when it came to genetic research plus security controls, and that many less than savory characters were able to back channel their own projects due to Masrani’s eccentric aloofness. Claire’s responsibilities essentially fell into making their workings flow as an entertaining resort for guests and a profitable endeavor for their shareholders. Yes, she was part of the discussions that led to the Indominus Rex, and therefore owns some of the blame of the events that followed – however, she was second fiddle to many higher on the chain of command, and was not a Hammond like entrepreneur and owner.
So when people often called for to be jailed, I found myself going to bat for her character. It seemed most people arguing for her to be behind bars simply didn’t like her as a character, and were using this as an excuse to write her off. I don’t love Owen or Claire, as I felt both played out like comic book heroes, rather than real world people – but I don’t hate them, and feel that there is a story to be told from both players, with Claire offering more humanity than people gave credit.
So why is it that with every Dinosaur Protection Group update, I’m becoming less and less a fan of Claire’s?
In a new happy go lucky video from the DPG, Claire Dearing calls for your support in saving the dinosaurs. Much like the website of the advocacy group, it focuses on a friendly vibe, and pulls on the heartstrings of viewers of their nostalgic dinosaur encounters. While this is reflective of many forms of grassroots activism, it seems to sidestep many pertinent controversies and conflicts, burying them beneath a few layers of friendly gloss.
In the video above, Claire doesn’t remind viewers of the role she played in exploiting these animals herself – something I am readily able to forgive, should she take more ownership. In fact, the entire website paints the DPG as a naive organization, not ready to fully discuss the impact and implications resurrected prehistoric life has on the greater ecosystem. I suppose what really irks me, is that Claire and the DPG seem more interested in preserving the experience of the world being able to enjoy dinosaurs, rather than their value as a lifeform damned by mankinds actions.
The imminent eruption of Mount Sibo appears to be a convenient rallying call, but not the the core ethical dilemma driving the seemingly well meaning, but out of touch organization.
The inability to truly accept responsibility, nor deal with the greater implications and impact her past has had on animal rights was double downed upon with today’s update. In a faux newspaper article titled ‘OPINION: DINOSAUR RIGHTS – BIRTH OF AN ACTIVIST’, the foundation is set upon where the film will pick up. The debate on whether the dinosaurs of Isla Nublar have rights or if their corporate property rages on, and many are pointing fingers.
Perhaps most surprings is that Claire isn’t owning up to her role in the events that came before as way to earn authority over the talking points being presented, but rather shifts blame to Dr. Henry Wu only, painting him as a seedy villain for the press to focus upon. Perhaps Dr. Wu is a villain, or perhaps his role in the events of the past and future are more nuanced – while he certainly has a lot to answer for, Claire pushing that argument so strongly only acts to delegitmize any claim she attempts to showcase that she accepts any responsibility, and has grown as a person because of it.
As a viewer, I want to support the DPG. I want to feel that the organization is able to tackle the larger elements at play, and offer an actual intellectual argument for their cause. Animal rights are important, even within fiction, and the theme behind this film offers a nuanced ethical dilemma playing as the backdrop of the dino carnage that no doubt will play out. However, at this point, it seems the DPG are not prepared for the endeavor they’ve put themselves at forefront of – and perhaps that is an element within the film.
Will the DPG’s well meaning, but ill approached antics be exploited and lead to the death of more people, and the mistreatment of even more prehistoric fauna? It seems likely. I just hope Claire accepts more blame than the website currently implies, as her likability of a character, and believability of growth depends on it.
“Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions.” – Dr. Alan Grant
There is a line in the sand between clear actions of good and evil, but most real world events and individuals never come close to a definitive side, operating unknowingly in a blurred grey area. What makes Jurassic Park so special is its focus and embrace of that concept. As of now, it seems the DPG is attempting to paint Claire as purely good, and Dr. Wu as a malicious counterweight – something that doesn’t sit right with me as a fan of films, nor do I feel the onscreen evidence entirely supports this.
Perhaps I’m asking for more nuance – or perhaps we’re given a peek into the DPG’s bias and Claire’s personality, who still has room to learn and grow. All will be answered this June with the release of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom.
Agree – disagree – debate and share your thoughts in the comments below, and as always stay tuned for the latest news!
Get ready for a deep dive into Ingen’s secrets and inconsistencies.
Alongside the ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ Super Bowl trailer earlier this month, the viral website for Dinosaur Protection Group formally launched with a trove of new information and images. The DPG is a fictional organization introduced in the upcoming Jurassic Park sequel founded by Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), with the goal of gaining public and financial support to save the dinosaurs of Isla Nublar from the ‘extinction level’ eruption of the once dormant Mount Sibo.
Claire’s ambition to save the dinosaurs is driven by not only an empathetic bond to animals in need, but the moral responsibility of those who created the dinosaurs to save them from a doomed fate – a fate humanity dictated due to their unnatural forced containment and isolation. The DPG argues mankind must be held accountable for the life they’ve created, for better or worse, and it’s their obligation to save the dinosaurs via relocation or other means.
Thus, the ‘in-universe’ intent of the Dinosaur Protection Group website is to educate the world not only about the prehistoric life created through de-extinction, but to also help the public better understand the history of InGen’s actions, and the range of impact the epochal company has induced.
In a new DPG update today, the groundwork is set for explaining many of the mysteries of the Jurassic universe (such as why was the Spinosaurus not on InGen’s list, for starters). But before we go that far, it’s best to understand the lay of the land – after the San Diego incident in 1997, the Gene Guard Act was passed by the US House Committee in collaboration with InGen. The act rewarded currently existing dinosaur species the same rights as naturally existing endangered species, protected the islands from outsiders, and outlawed furthered creation of extinct prehistoric fauna.
This act was put into place before John Hammond passed away, and at the time InGen was fully committed to upholding a greater standard of ethics, standing as guardians of these majestic animals from the past. The restrictions would remain enforced when Masrani Global acquired InGen in 1998, though it was later discovered the company neglected the law well before the sanctions were dropped in 2003 (note: those sanctions were later discovered to be removed under illegal pretenses such as bribery).
The breaches in the Gene Protection Act began as soon as 100 days after Masrani Globals acquisition of InGen, and led to the creation of the Spinosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Ceratosaurus, and Corythosaurus* (all new species which first appeared in Jurassic Park 3). Curiously, the Jurassic Park 3 Ankylosaurus varies from that seen in Jurassic World – perhaps it’s an example of sexual dimorphism, where the males of the species have a different body structure and a splash of red on their face. The aformentioned file leak dates to 1997, prior to the acquisition; presumably any new variation of dinosaur seen in ‘World’ not listed as illegally cloned was created after 2003.
*Note:Despite what the DPG says, the Corythosaurus was not cloned illegally, and existed on Isla Sorna prior to the Gene Protection Act. It can be seen as part of the species list in ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’.
The files also point to the breeding Velociraptors, and much like Grant did, assumes Frog DNA is to blame. However, this does not take into account that modern reptiles and birds have been observed changing sex, and breeding in nature. As birds are a direct decedent of dinosaurs, and share the common archosaur ancestory with reptiles, it can be assumed that particular genetic ability evolved naturally. Hence, even without the frog DNA, dinosaurs would likely find a way to breed in certain circumstances. This is further evidenced by the documented breeding of Stegosaurs, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurs, Gallimimus, Pteranodons, and in all likelihood, numerous other species (for example sexual dimorphism can be observed in Parasaurolophus with green females, and orangeish males).
What the InGen file leak does not account for is the curious omission of Proceratosaurus, both a species on the Jurassic Park map, and a viable embryo stolen by Dennis Nedry – perhaps this can be explained by carelessness in InGens archival of information, or it was scrubbed from record for even more nefarious motives. Further anomalies that are yet to be explained are the separate sub-species of Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, and Pteranodon observed on Isla Sorna during the events of Jurassic Park 3.
The latest DPG blog entry is vague on the status of Isla Sorna – it’s alluded that InGen at least claimed they moved all species to Isla Nublar, however the likelihood of that being true or possible seems slim at best – especially as many of the species of Sorna are nowhere to be found on Nublar. While one may account that to population extinction, earlier DPG updates suggest the only known extinctions are Metriacanthosaurus and Edmontosaurus on Isla Nublar only.
There is a lot more to dig into on the Dinosaur Protection Group website, such as dinosaur population counts from 1993 to 1997, illustrating the various survival rates and hunting patterns of the animals on both islands. Further, it showcases that some of the new dinosaurs seen in ‘World’ were species InGen aspired to create via incomplete genomes during the ‘Park’ era, such as the Dimorphodon and Allosaurus.
This is an exciting time to be a Jurassic Park fan, and further dig into the canon of the films. Be sure to check the website out, and sound off on what you think of this latest lore expansion!
It’s finally happening. The Jurassic Park universe is canonically expanding beyond the films. One of the most requested things from fans has continuously been an expansion of the fiction, whether it be via an animated series, comics, novels, or more. It now seems Universal has listened, and the first expansion will be coming May 2018 in the form of a Young Adult novel by Random House Books.
The novel, seemingly awaiting a more formal title, is currently titled ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Hardcover Young Adult Novel’. While the title isn’t much to go off of, Random House has also provided an exciting synopsis on what readers can expect:
Discover the beginnings of one of Jurassic World‘s most beloved characters–Claire Dearing–in this original action-packed young adult novel.
During the events of Jurassic World, Claire Dearing faced the savage fury of dinosaurs unleashed . . . but it wasn’t the first time. In this entirely new coming-of-age story, Claire lands an elite internship working for Simon Masrani and soon discovers his plans to build an all-new theme park–Jurassic World! Along the way, Claire establishes valuable relationships with both her peers and the prehistoric creatures she studies, but when the situation turns dangerous, she begins to see the dinosaurs in a different light. Fans of Jurassic World will delight in filling in the gaps of Claire’s past, all while gaining insights into the experiences that transformed her into the strong woman we know today.
May 08, 2018 | 304 Pages | Young Adult
The Young Adult fiction genre is typically considered to be written for ages 12-20’s, though the exact age range isn’t particularly defined, nor does it dictate who can enjoy the writings. This isn’t the first time the franchise had side stories via books, as the Jurassic Park Adventures series based on Eric Kirby’s adventures existed, but those targeted younger ages and were widely considered non-canon by fans.
The timeframe for this prequel novel is interesting, as it seems to begin before Jurassic World was event built, and will likely dive deep into the backstory of how Masrani Global handled InGen assets, and became the corporation we saw in the 2015 film. While it follows Claire’s perspective, the novel will quite possibly cross paths with individuals like Dr. Henry Wu, Vic Hoskisn, and other players, like the already confirmed Simon Masrani.
Will we see the cleanup of Nublar, the construction of Jurassic World, and inception of of ideas like the Indominus Rex in this novel? Time will tell – and hopefully it may even clarify longstanding question like the fate of Isla Nublar, why Hammond endorsed Jurassic World after his character motivation shift in The Lost World, and perhaps dig deep into pieces of the fiction the films have never touched upon.
But most off all, the novel will take us through the character evolution, motivation, and growth of Claire Dearing (played by Bryce Dallas Howard in the films), who Colin Trevorrow has previously stated is main character of the Jurassic World trilogy. It’s especially great to see a leading women take the spotlight and kick off the official Jurassic expanded universe, where as the easy and expected route would be putting someone like Owen Grady in the spotlight.
We’re excited, and hope this is only the first book of an exciting Jurassic World EU – the opportunities are endless, and we can’t wait to read the novel! If this is only the tip of the spear, perhaps in time a Dr. Henry Wu book series will come as well, detailing the timeline between Jurassic Park and Jurassic World, explaining how and why he comes off so cold in World, and dive deep into science of InGen not seen since Michael Crichton created the franchise.
Finally, dinosaur enthusiasts also have a publication to look forward to, which also seems to dive into the expanded fiction of Jurassic World – the ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Dinosaur Survival Guide’:
Relive the excitement of the blockbuster film Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom–which opens to US audiences on June 22, 2018–with this must-have survival guide!
Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom releases in theaters on June 22, 2018, bringing with it all the wonder, adventure, and thrills of one of the most popular and successful franchises in cinema history. This all-new motion picture event sees the return of favorite characters and dinosaurs, including Blue, the Velociraptor; Tyrannosaurus rex; and Mosasaurus–along with new breeds more awe-inspiring and terrifying than ever before!
This indispensable full-color survival guide features all the facts about the Jurassic World dinosaurs that you need to know to survive on the island–as well as the top-secret history of how it all began.
May 08, 2018 | 80 Pages | 6-9 years
Top secret history of how it all began? Say no more. Perhaps this visual guide will finally give a defined canonical explanation of the dinosaur variations seen throughout the franchise!
Let us know if you will be picking up the Claire prequel novel, and what stories you hope the expanded universe digs into! And as always, stay tuned for the latest news.
