Category: Jurassic Park

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!

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!

LEGO Announces Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex Set

Posted on by Caleb Burnett

Following their successful and engaging Dinosaur Fossils T. rex and Triceratops Skull sets, LEGO has announced a new set featuring the full skeleton of a T. rex, the LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex Set – available to order March 15th, 2025!

From LEGO:

Re-Discover the Age of Dinosaurs with the New LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex Model Building Set

The LEGO Group and Universal Products and Experiences unveils the new LEGO® Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex (T.rex) set. This set is the largest LEGO Jurassic World set ever made and offers a challenging and rewarding building experience for fans. Featuring a detailed T. rex fossil skeleton, over 1m (more than 3 feet!) in length, the new 3,145 piece LEGO set is sure to impress both builders and collectors alike.

The LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils set boasts articulated joints, including a movable head, opening jaw, and posable arms and tail, allowing for dynamic and customizable displays. The set also includes a display stand, an information plaque, and hidden franchise Easter eggs, such as an ‘amber’ piece, adding layers of authenticity and nostalgia.

Fans of the iconic 1993 film Jurassic Park, from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, will appreciate the inclusion of two beloved film characters in LEGO Minifigure form: Dr. Ellie Sattler and Dr. Alan Grant. These characters bring a touch of cinematic history to the set, making it a perfect gift for fans of the franchise.  In addition, the coffee-table-style instructions not only guide builders step-by-step but also include fascinating design details, movie highlights, and T. rex dinosaur facts. Builders can further enhance their experience with the LEGO Builder app, which provides an interactive way to zoom in, rotate models in 3D, and track progress.

The LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex set is available for LEGO Insiders early access from March 12, 2025 at www.LEGO.com/JurassicTrex and LEGO Stores, and available for all from March 15, 2025 priced at €249.99 / £219.99 / $249.99.

Age: 18+
Pieces: 3,145
Product No.: 76968
Dimensions: Height: 33cm (12.5in) / Length: 105cm (41in)
Available: LEGO Insiders Early access 3/12/25 and 3/15/25 for All

About the LEGO Group
The LEGO Group’s mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine.

The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words LEg Godt, which mean “Play Well”.

Today, the LEGO Group remains a family-owned company headquartered in Billund. Its products are now sold in more than 120 countries worldwide. For more information: www.LEGO.com.

About Universal Products & Experiences  
Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives the expansion and elevation of NBCUniversal’s iconic collection of brands, intellectual properties, characters, and stories based on the company’s extensive portfolio of properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. The division executes this through innovative physical and digital products, as well as engaging retail and product experiences across our expansive global theme park destinations (for both owned and third-party IP), location-based venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world. Along with global brand strategy and creative, UP&E’s lines of business include Consumer Products and Games, along with Theme Parks Products & Retail. UP&E is a division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. More information is available at universalproductsexperiences.com.

About the JURASSIC WORLD Franchise
From Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, Jurassic World immerses audiences of all ages in a new era of wonder and thrills where dinosaurs and humankind must learn to coexist. Jurassic World is more than a film franchise. At every turn, this $6 billion film series delivers a larger-than-life destination for exploration, discovery, and epic adventure. Dinosaurs live again and they live in Jurassic World.

It is great to see LEGO continually showcasing the paleontological and museum-related aspects of the Jurassic franchise in awesome ways. Will you be picking up this new LEGO T. rex skeleton set? Let us know in the comments!

New Universal Kids Park, Featuring Jurassic World, set to open in 2026!

Posted on by J. Malone

Universal released more details on their upcoming park in Texas, now set to officially open in 2026!

Initially announced just over a year ago, the Texas park will be Universal’s first ever entirely children and family centered theme park. The other Universal destinations around the globe feature a mixture of attractions, shows, and events for all ages, but the all new Universal Kids Resort will have offerings specifically geared towards a younger audience.

VP and executive producer of Universal Creative Sarah Gibbon stated “At each point, we considered how we could design a place especially for kids where they could explore, imagine and adventure with their families and friends They’ll be able to do all this while being fully immersed in some of their favorite stories – ones full of curiosity, laughter and joy.”

With that in mind, many have wondered what types of attractions, and IP properties we would see In 2024 Universal released two official pieces of conceptual art of an ariel views of all the lands that would make up UKR, and both included portions that appeared to be hinting at potential Jurassic themed sections.

Well, with the announcement of UKR opening in 2026, Universal also released what lands and characters we can expect to see- with Jurassic World being among them!

The official website teases,

‘[At Jurassic World] Discoveries abound as kids learn about and come face to face with beloved dinosaurs of Jurassic World in uniquely exciting and interactive ways. The new adventure exclusively created for young explorers will be both exhilarating and awe-inspiring.’

Along with the land synopsis is a picture of everyone’s favorite juvenile ankylosaur Bumpy, from Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.

Along with Bumpy (and whatever other dinosaurs and characters from Jurassic World we may encounter,) guests can experience many other iconic lands and characters in this 97-acre theme park including Shrek, Puss in Boots, Trolls, SpongeBob SquarePants, Minions, and Gabby’s Dollhouse .

While there are no official details on what guests can specifically expect as far as rides and shows go for UKR, many fans will no doubt be scouring the previously released concept art for clues. And people can also sign up for news and updates on the official UKR site as well!


Tell us what you think. Are you excited for the all-new Universal Kids Resort? Will you be visiting? What kind of rides and experiences do you hope to see? Let us know in the comments!

More Science than Fiction: Universal Continues to Utilize Jurassic for STEAM Education

Posted on by J. Malone

From traveling museum exhibitions, to multiple educational books written by some of world’s leading scientists, and even donating nearly a million dollars of paleontological research through The Jurassic Foundation, Universal Pictures and Amblin have found many unique and inventive ways to utilize the Jurassic franchise to promote education through STEAM (an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art, and math.) Universal Destinations and Experiences now continues this trend with their latest student programing at Universal Orlando!

Jurassic World VelociCoaster: Breaking Down the DNA is an all new educational youth program that allows student attendees to discover the the collaborative and innovative world of ride design! Developed in partnership with Universal Pictures, students will explore how a diverse Universal team with varied backgrounds and skills aligned to collectively transform an idea into a multi-award winning ride. They’ll discover how ride design is a complex collaborative process the combines creativity and problem-solving to create an innovative, story-driven attraction.

Program Objectives include:

  • Exploring academic and professional interests connected to themed entertainment.
  • Examining how diverse perspectives drive innovative thinking.
  • Identifying how teamwork is fundamental in achieving a common goal.
  • How to describe storytelling elements and how they drive immersive experiences.
  • Explaining the importance of how research influences decision making.

The program is the latest in a series of STEAM centered events hosted at the parks that seek to engage students into exploring engineering, creativity, science, and teamwork. It’s also the latest way Universal has used the Jurassic franchise to promote education. Previously, in 2023, Universal Orlando hosted a STEAM Symposium themed around Jurassic Park’s 30th Anniversary, and Universal Orlando also offers a “Jurassic Paleobotany” program associated with their STEAM App Series, where students work together to describe the importance of understanding plants and environments of the past and present to create authentic, immersive, and themed environments.

Programs at Universal are intended for groups of twenty or more students, and reservations must be made ahead of time. Tours will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs are subject to availability. More details and resources for educators interested can be found on Universal Orlando’s Youth Programing website.

David Koepp and Steven Spielberg Bring Sequence from Crichton’s Jurassic Park Novel to Jurassic World Rebirth

Posted on by Caleb Burnett

Since Jurassic World Rebirth‘s announcement just over a year ago, those following the production have awaited insights from its writer and Jurassic legend David Koepp – and lately we have gotten just that. Koepp recently shared his 9 Jurassic Commandments, and has also been on the press circuit for his new work with Steven Soderbergh. This week he joined Variety to discuss Presence (his latest Soderbergh collaboration) and provided even more Rebirth teases during the conversation.

You can read the full conversation here.

From Variety:

Koepp has proven himself to be one of Hollywood’s preeminent screenwriters since Steven Spielberg recruited him to pen “Jurassic Park” in his twenties. But between spectacle features, he has often returned to more contained settings, as with David Fincher’s home invasion thriller “Panic Room” or Soderbergh’s own tech-skeptic “Kimi,” released three years ago. But “Presence” put Koepp in a darker place than usual.

These movies don’t unfold in confined settings, but do you find a similar thrill in restrictions when you’re writing for an established property, like “Jurassic” or “Indiana Jones”?

Those are harder because of the lack of restrictions. The first “Jurassic” was at the dawn of CG. I asked Steven [Spielberg], “Well, what are my limitations here?” And he said, “Only your imagination.” I was like, “Okay, well, that’s a little hostile.” But we were making up whatever we felt like, then he was seeing if we could figure it out. Those are giant movies, so there’s a lot of expectations and there’s a lot of money. The level of tension and anxiety surrounding it is a lot higher. On this one, by virtue of the fact that its budget was a lot smaller and Steven was paying for it himself, there were whole levels of approval that just weren’t present.

You’ve returned to the “Jurassic” franchise to write “Jurassic World Rebirth,” which releases this summer. What was the impetus behind that homecoming?

The first two movies were two of my favorite experiences ever. And Steven said, “What about starting over? Let’s try something all new.” I said, “Oh, that’s a cool idea. What if blah, blah, blah,” and then I threw an idea back. That’s it. It caught. You do that all the time with your friends and collaborators: throw ideas back and forth. And sometimes they catch, usually they don’t. There is pressure because it’s going to cost a lot of money and there are going to be big expectations and blah, blah, blah. But there was no pressure at first — just the pursuit of our ideas.

There isn’t even a source novel you’re pulling from for this one, right?

No. I reread the two novels to get myself back in that mode though. We did take some things from them. There was a sequence from the first novel that we’d always wanted in the original movie, but didn’t have room for. We were like, “Hey, we get to use that now.” But just to get back in that head space 30 years later — is it still fun? And the answer is yes, it still really is. Dinosaurs are still fun.

The excitement continues to mount for Jurassic World Rebirth, thanks in no small part to David Koepp’s enthusiasm and passion. Great to hear about the blank slate he and Spielberg approached Rebirth with, and even better to hear they are adapting a sequence from Michael Crichton‘s original Jurassic Park novel! What do you think that sequence could be? There is so much material left to pull from in Crichton’s Jurassic works, which Koepp reread to prepare for his return to writing for the franchise. He’s just like us.

Koepp also spoke with SlashFilm to discuss Presence and writing a brand new Jurassic story for Rebirth.

From /Film:

For screenwriter David Koepp, 2025 might be best remembered as the year where he reunited with two guys named Steven. He’s currently on the press circuit promoting his script for Steven Soderbergh’s unconventional ghost story “Presence” after having worked with the director previously on 2022’s pandemic-era thriller “Kimi,” and this summer, audiences will see the fruits of Koepp’s reunion with another Steven — Mr. Spielberg, who is executive producing “Jurassic World Rebirth,” which just missed a slot on /Film’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2025 list.

See, Spielberg asked Koepp, who wrote the first two “Jurassic Park” movies back in the 1990s, if he was interested in taking a shot at cooking up a new direction for the “Jurassic” franchise in the aftermath of “Jurassic World Dominion,” a movie that made over a billion dollars but which was not beloved by critics or general audiences. With that question posed, Koepp made an observation about the franchise as a whole:

“When Steven [Spielberg] said, ‘Hey, do you want to try to come up with a new one?’, it had seemed to me that the tone and characters of the movies changed every three movies. So after the first three, it changed into ‘Jurassic World,’ which was a different tone and wholly different characters, and then that came, it seemed, to a logical conclusion. So [‘Jurassic World Rebirth’] seemed like a chance to say, ‘OK, what now?'”

According to the official synopsis from Universal, this new film takes the “Jurassic” movies “in an ingenious new direction.”

“We didn’t want to deny any events that occurred,” Koepp told me. “[The new film is set] in that world. But how might that world have changed in the last five years, and whose story is this now? So it was a chance to start over, and still play in this incredibly fun sandbox with the enthusiasm of a big studio behind you. It was the best of all possible worlds. And Steven and I got to do the absolute most fun part of filmmaking, which is, ‘Hey, what if…’ and then you just make up stuff.”

Some of the “stuff” they made up: In the five years since the events of “Dominion,” dinosaurs have learned that they can essentially only live in climates similar to the ones they operated in previously. The three biggest dinos on the planet “hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind,” and it’s up to skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) to snag the genetic material that can make that dream a reality. Mahershala Ali is on board as a team leader, there’s a stranded family that gets roped into the action, and the synopsis also teases “a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.” Color us intrigued.

Steven Spielberg and David Koepp “trying to come up with a new one” has to be music to Jurassic fans’ ears. His words about changing the tone and characters every three movies while not denying any events that have occurred bode well for what’s to come in his Rebirth story and the franchise as a whole. We can’t wait to see what Koepp and Spielberg have come up with for the seventh Jurassic Park film!

What do you think about what Koepp had to say in these interviews? What Jurassic Park novel sequence would you like to see in Jurassic World Rebirth? Let us know in the comments, and watch our full breakdown below.

Universal Japan to Host Jurassic World Journey Event!

Posted on by J. Malone

Coming off reopening Jurassic Park The Ride after an extended refurbishment, Universal Studios Japan has announced that they will be hosting a six-month long Jurassic interactive event!

From March 14, 2025, through August 31, 2025 (*dates subject to change) Universal Studios Japan will be hosting Jurassic World Journey, a special limited time event during daytime park hours with unique show offerings, special food, interactive missions, and more!

Universal Japan’s website states:

‘A new great adventure begins!

Take your family on a thrilling, new adventure to experience the dinosaurs from Jurassic World like never before! See the terrifying T. rex on a boat tour through the jungle. Meet and interact with adorable baby dinosaurs! And try not to scream during a tense encounter with a Raptor! You can also go on an all-new “”Mission Walk”” where you can explore the area while solving fun and exciting new puzzles along the way!’

So, lets break down exactly what guests can expect and experience during JW Journey!

ENTERTAINMENT OFFERINGS

There will be three “new” shows offered during the Jurassic World Journey event that will bring guests closer than ever to the park’s dinosaurs! Universal Japan has proven time and again that they love experimenting with live performance to showcase dinosaurs in their Jurassic Park area. Universal Japan has been the stage for a variety of Jurassic shows through the years since the 00’s, showcasing many different dinosaurs with each iteration (one of which even had a Spinosaurus!) 

In “Dino Encounter” guests will be able to see some of the park’s herbivorous dinosaurs, like Triceratops and Stegosaurus, and will also have opportunities to pet and even feed the animals!

Complimenting the experience with the herbivores will be the “Baby Dino Adventure,”  guests will experience the awe and wonder of interacting with a baby dinosaur and learn some fun new facts about the incredible species from its handler! You can even take a commemorative photo to have as a keepsake of this truly unforgettable and heartwarming moment!

Be careful though, because while the island is home to many magnificent and wonderful animals, danger also lurks around every corner! In “Raptor Alert”  you find out that several raptors have escaped from their enclosures and have been spotted in the area! Be sure to take caution as you move throughout the area! Get ready to experience the thrill of a lifetime as you try to avoid being trapped by the Raptor pack!

Universal is also planning the “ultimate adventure” for the whole family to enjoy with the Jurassic World “Mission Walk!” After picking up your mission booklet at Jurassic Outfitters (each guest can obtain one mission booklet per day), guests will explore the jungles of Jurassic World and complete their exciting missions throughout the Park! As you complete the various missions you’ll also encounter various dinosaurs hidden in the jungle. Every participant who completes all of the missions will receive an exclusive sticker as a gift!

The Jurassic section highlighted on the USJ map.
①Jurassic World Raptor Alert​
②Jurassic World Dino Encounter
③Jurassic World Baby Dino Adventure​
④Jurassic World Mission Walk

PHOTO OP

On top of the new entertainment offerings, there will also be a special photo op location where guests can get a commemorative photo with a Jurassic World gyrosphere!

FOOD OFFERINGS

The new T, Rex Burger, volcanic Strawberry and Chocolate Cupcake, and Ancient Sea drink.

Universal never misses an opportunity to come up with unique and special foods for their parks as well, and during Jurassic World Journey the park will be offering multiple new edible dishes. 

There will be five new meals offered- the massive T. rex Burger Meal, the Raptor Burger Meal, the Pteranodon Burger meal (which looks to be a crispy chicken sandwich,) the Mosasaurus Burger Meal (a breaded fish sandwich,) and the bite sized Triceratops Burger Meal for kids. To pair with the meal there will also be a unique drink, a salty lemon and lychee soda mix named the Ancient Sea.

And don’t forget desert! Offerings like a pteranodon topped chocolate and strawberry cupcake (made to look like Mt. Sibo erupting,) and the Jurassic Chocolate Lemon Churritos are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Images on Universal Japan’s website suggest that there may be even more food and treat options available as well during the event, like a delectable multi-layered dessert dish of some kind and Jurassic themed macarons.

While there has been no news of new or special merchandise (other than the sticker awarded at the end of the Mission Walk,) the Blue and Gyrosphere popcorn bucket will finally be making its way to Universal Japan!

And don’t forget to ride that ever flowing river with the newly refurbished Jurassic Park The Ride, and fly alongside pterosaurs on the rollercoaster The Flying Dinosaur.

Walt Disney World News Today reported in their article reporting on the special event that Universal Japan has said that there will be “enhancements” added to the rides for the event, but we could not find any information on Universal Japan’s website (or elsewhere) corroborating this. It is not without precedent though, as other parks like Universal Hollywood and Orlando have made minor tweaks to their respective Jurassic rides in the past for special events like Halloween Horror Nights. So perhaps we will see a few added details, props, or dinosaurs in the coming months!

Universal Destinations and Resorts around the world have had many different special Jurassic offerings over the years. For instance, for Jurassic Park‘s 30th Anniversary Universal Orlando had a special tribute store, and in 2018 Universal Singapore had the short show Jurassic World ROAR! in honor of the release of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. While none of the other Universal’s other resorts have announced any special events or offerings accompanying the release Jurassic World Rebirth as of yet, we can hope that perhaps Universal Japan is just leading the way and maybe some of the other destinations will soon follow suit with some dino-sized surprises for guests this year!

What would you like to see come to Universal Parks around the globe? More special Jurassic events? More unique shows with dinosaurs? New rides? Let us know in the comments below.

Interview with Rick Bluhm – Field Art Director for Jurassic Park Institute Tour

Posted on by J. Malone

The InGen Spinosaurs and Tyrannosaurus facing off in the Aviary showroom of the Jurassic Park Institute Tour. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm

Since the release of Jurassic Park in 1993, there have been multiple accompanying live shows, exhibits, and experiences across the world that have helped bridge the gap between the fictitious world of the franchise, and our real one. 

In the early 00’s, one such exhibit was the Jurassic Park Institute Tour, located in Japan. Designed and produced by Thinkwell Design & Production, the Thea Award Winning exhibit brought the world and science of Jurassic Park alive unlike ever before.

The nearly hour-long experience featured twelve different exhibits, all featuring interactive displays and showcasing breathtaking encounters with dinosaurs using of state of the art technology and theatrical techniques. To bring these environments and exhibits to life, the creative team employed artists who took great great care of the loaned props, and in recreating entire environments from educational museum galleries, to an InGen laboratory, and even a jaunt through the Aviary.

JPIT’s Field Art Director, Rick Bluhm, adjusting a display in the InGen lab. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

To tackle such an endeavor as one of these dino-sized projects, you need a dedicated and creative team. Enter Rick Bluhm, a Field Art Director on the Jurassic Park Institute Tour project. We were lucky enough to be able to connect with Bluhm, and asked him to reflect on his career as well as on his time with the JPIT project.

JO: What got you interested in being in entertainment and ultimately a Creative Director, and how did you make the journey to now helping create some of the most immersive theatrical and ride experiences in the world?

RB: My career began with theatrical set design in the Los Angeles area at dozens of small theatres. Through contacts there I transitioned into Art Direction for television commercials, series and ultimately films. It was while I was on hiatus between those projects that I was asked to join Universal and have been in themed immersive entertainment ever since – although I just retired from my position of Senior Director, Creative, after 12 years developing attractions for the parks in Orlando and Osaka.

I was very proud to be a part of the Thinkwell team that produced Jurassic Park Institute Tour and we had quite an adventure in Tokyo that summer! Prior to [joining JPI], I was the Art Director for several show attractions that we opened in Universal Studios Japan in 2001. Needless to say, I had experience with the culture and that helped me lead the wonderful local prop and set dressing crew for JPIT.

One of the earlier exhibits in the JPIT, showcasing the latest information and research in paleontology. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm

JO: In the early 00’s with the release of Jurassic Park 3 there was this kind of push with the Jurassic Park Institute branding to kind of be more educational focused. There were books, games, and a website. But then of course there was the inception and creation of this live experience which looks like it bridges a lot of the fantastical elements and universe of the films with science and education. Can you tell us how the tour came to be initially?

RB: Ken Nakashima was the man who brought the idea for the tour to Thinkwell. He was studying paleontology at a university in the L.A. area and was keenly interested in dinosaur DNA. His father, Sam Nakashima brought investors together to create this tour, which would package the education Ken was passionate about into a wonderfully immersive entertainment experience.

An InGen lab showroom. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

RB: The details about developing the concept happened all before I was brought on to the project. Joe Cashman was the Production Designer who oversaw creative and he hired me as a Field Art Director to procure all the set dressing and props, plants etc. and stage them all when we arrived in Tokyo. Before the “Mr. DNA” film pre-show, we had a huge exhibit of dinosaur skeletons with informational graphic panels to anchor the experience with a strong scientific foundation.

The Brachiosaur canopy scene, where guests would come face to face with some of the largest animals InGen created. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

JO: What was one of the hardest aspects of bringing this experience to life?

RB: The biggest challenge was the scene which featured Brachiosaurs feeding. Guests felt as if they were on a bridge, overlooking the canopy of trees through which the long necks of the dinosaurs were grazing. We had limited depth there, so I had a firm in Singapore fabricate trunks with bases and armatures so we could create huge diameters of gingko trees that sat a few feet above the floor and masked it. 

This EX-STINKS. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

RB: One particularly silly moment was when we received delivery of the dung pile for the Triceratops yard. It didn’t seem quite real enough, so I asked the prop team to coat it in clear gloss. It worked so well that it elicited big laughs from the crew and guests. 

A section of the JPIT that showcased scenic props and models from Jurassic Park 3, including the unused infamous “RED” Velociraptor from early pre-production. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

JO: Did you all have any movie props or pieces that were a part of the tour?

RB: Although we moulded a few props (eggs, for example) from originals from the films, we wanted a special way to feature actual props and wardrobe from the latest film (JP3).

Costumes used by the main cast of Jurassic Park 3 on display at the JPTI. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

RB: We created a post-show before the exit which displayed incubators and other equipment from the scene where they stumble on the dilapidated Ingen lab – plus a couple of full size Raptors and wardrobe from the key characters. I also created an Art Directors’ Studio area to feature blueprints and renderings of the sets from that film.

Concept art, models, and other preproduction and production material from the first three Jurassic films on display. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

RB: I took great care in the authenticity of our props – particularly the genetics lab and medical bay – researching details from the films. Also, the artificial foliage had to have proper scale and species that would be found in the regions from the films.

Rick Bluhm adjusting and adding foliage to one of the various scenes in JPTI. A small compy pops up to keep the creative company. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

JO: What do you think captivates people about Jurassic or dinosaurs in general?

RB: Dinosaurs will always be a source of fascination to us humans. The strength and majesty of those exotic creatures in an ancient world, so different from what it is now. I was obsessed as a boy and have seen my nephews and others continue with that curiosity.

One of the many animal containment areas apart of JPTI, featuring Triceratops and a fully animatronic Jurassic Park 3 style Ankylosaurus. Image courtesy of Rick Bluhm.

While the Tour is no longer, an other interactive Jurassic experiences have now taken its place, you can watch a promotional reel for the Jurassic Park Institute Tour below thanks to archival efforts of The Jurassic Park Collection.

Have you ever experienced a Jurassic exhibit? If so, which one, and what kind of affect did it have on you? Would you like to see more edutainment style experiences and material from the Jurassic brand like with Jurassic Park Institute? Let us know in the comments below!

Jurassic Park: The Ride to Reopen After Being Closed for Over a Year

Posted on by J. Malone
Image by Brightest World

After a lengthy closure, Jurassic Park: The Ride at Universal Studios Japan is set to reopen in 2025, and a lot sooner than you think!

Back in July of 2023, it was reported that Universal Studios in Japan would be closing Jurassic Park: The Ride for a lengthy refurbishment. While outlets said that the ride would reopen at some point in 2025, no official date was ever given. Since the closure, the official Universal Studios Japan website has had the ride listed as being closed ‘indefinitely.’ Since the official closure in September of 2023, very little news or information has been given on the status of the refurbishment, with any updates solely coming from theme park vlogging videos. For months there have been no real or official updates of any kind.

Previously, the only other Jurassic ride to undergo such a lengthy closure was the original Jurassic Park: The Ride in Universal Hollywood. which closed in 2018 and was to be replaced with Jurassic World: The Ride in 2019. The replacement was met with a mixed to favorable response, with many happy that new animatronics and effects were added to a ride that needed a good amount of updates and fixes, but that certain elements felt incomplete or cut and a bit of the original magic and storytelling was absent.

While some speculated that perhaps Japan would be going through the IP change, it had never been stated that the ride would be changing so dramatically. Moreover, in the last year, there has been no change at all to any of the signage or theming in the area of the park. So it seems like Japan has kept with the more iconic and recognizable Jurassic Park branding. So perhaps the ride will stay mostly the same, with all the major animatronics being replaced with more updated technology and effects?

Well, guests to Universal Japan will finally be able to ride the ever-flowing river once again as Jurassic Park: The Ride prepares to open its gates again, on January 8th of 2025!! The reopening marks the end of a sixteen-month-long refurbishment (six months longer than the Park to World flip in Universal Hollywood.)

The official Universal Japan X account announced the reopening in a post, stating:

‘Jurassic Park – The Ride, which has been closed for renovations since September 2023, will reopen on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation. Please look forward to the reopening.’

Accompanying the announcement was a short teaser video:

To many the teaser may be a tad… underwhelming. After such a long time of being closed, all we are essentially seeing is stock footage of the ride pre-refurbishment. When Jurassic World: The Ride was preparing to open after only ten months there was a special teaser released to build excitement for the opening, and something along those lines would have been a tad more exciting to see.

But all this just begs the question… what will the ride look like once it opens in two weeks; what exactly are we in store for? Universal Japan has played the entire refurbishment very close to their chest, and it seems like if they have made any major updates to the dinosaurs, ride system, or other effects they plan on keeping it a secret until the ride is reopened to the public on the 8th.

We very much are looking forward to the reopening of this legendary attraction. It marks the start of what is sure to be a massive dino-sized year to come for Jurassic fans! Moreover, the fact that Japan has chosen to retain the iconic Jurassic Park branding instead of changing it to Jurassic World is noteworthy, and hopefully, if the ride is a success in popularity and excitement to Universal guests upon its reopening it means that all Jurassic rides and attractions aren’t necessarily resorted to the fate of being changed to the Jurassic World model.

Are you excited about the reopening of Jurassic Park: The Ride in Japan? Would you like to see more Universal parks refurbishing their Jurassic rides and areas, and if so- what kind of attractions would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below!