Category: Jurassic World

New ‘Jurassic World: Alive’ Game Teases Pokemon Go Style Experience!

Posted on by Chris Pugh

Hold on to your butts, and get ready… to clone them all?

It feels like it was just yesterday when the Pokemon Go game launched with a social media explosion, bringing that world to life in ours via a clever AR experience. One of things Jurassic fans kept bringing up was how amazing a Jurassic Park game offering the same experience would be – and it seems Universal Pictures and Ludia thought the same thing!

Launching this Spring, ‘Jurassic World: Alive’ sets the dinosaurs free across the world!

They’re ALIVE in our world!

Dinosaurs have returned to rule the Earth. They have fled Jurassic World on the unstable island of Isla Nublar….and they’re roaming free in your cities and neighborhoods.

As a brand-new member of the Dinosaur Protection Group (DPG), your mission is to save dinosaurs from a second extinction. Explore your surrounding area to find your favorite dinosaurs – including new breeds that are more awe-inspiring and terrifying than ever before. Activate augmented reality (AR) to interact with these unbelievable creatures in the real world.

Track these magnificent animals with a drone and collect DNA samples needed to level up and create hybrids in your Lab. Then, assemble the perfect dinosaur strike team and take on dangerous threats in real-time PVP arena battles!

EXPLORE your world with location-based technology and discover dinosaurs on a map. Identify behavior patterns to track specific species in their natural habitats.

COLLECT rare and powerful breeds by flying a drone with precise accuracy. Capture DNA samples and maintain a full roster of thriving prehistoric animals.

CREATE hybrid creatures by combining the genetic traits of multiple species to develop their strengths and abilities.

BATTLE a strike team of dinosaurs to defend against threats to your mission and challenge others in real-time PVP competitive arenas.

EARN rewards such as in-game currency and battery life for your drone by finding Supply Drops on the map.

SHARE your legendary dinosaur collection with friends by posting your AR images and videos to your social pages!

“We really see this game as the future of the Jurassic World franchise on mobile. This is really the first time that we have allowed you to take the dinosaurs off the island and out of our storytelling world, and into your real world.” – Chris Heatherly – Universal Pictures Executive VP of Games

One of the key differences between Jurassic World Alive and Pokemon Go is that to play the game and obtain new creatures, you won’t actually need to explore in real time (though that element is supported). Instead you can send out a ‘drone’ from your house (or workplace, school and so on) to scout out the dinosaurs and collect DNA, offering more ways to play, keeping the game fresh if you’re anchored to one spot.

The game is launching with over 100 dinosaurs, but the goal is to constantly update the animals available within the world, adding to diverse roster of prehistoric titans. Further, you can create your hybrid dinosaurs from the DNA you obtain in game, allowing you to create any dinosaur of your choosing to collect and battle!

“There’s a major focus in this game on the hybrids and super hybrids to create this almost infinite matrix of possibilities” – Ludia CEO Alex Thabet

  

Hit the website now to pre-register, and unlock exclusive content when the game launches!

Source: Jurassic World Alive, Google Play Store


All Four Jurassic Park Films Releasing in 4K this May! (Updated)

Posted on by Chris Pugh

Hold on to your butts, and get ready to see Jurassic Park like never before.

Revealed on Amazon, all four Jurassic Park films (yes, that means Jurassic World) will be released in 4K on May 22nd, 2018 in celebration of the first Jurassic’s 25th Anniversary. For the first time ever, the Jurassic franchise has been remastered in 4K (also known as Ultra-HD), featuring a far higher resolution and ‘High Dynamic Range (HDR) for Brighter, Deeper, More Lifelike Color’.

Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Collection [4K Blu-ray]

Available to pre-order now the ‘Jurassic Park 25th Anniversary Collection’ ($79.98) set features a total of 8-discs, with each 4k film on their own discs, and the special features on another. As they have likely gone back to the source material for these remasters, the transfers will likely be entirely new, and have a different more authentic look akin to the theatrical run of each film. Since running the article, the Amazon listing has been updated with pictures – the cover is very nice, and would be near perfect if it weren’t for that incredibly ugly looking logo (also, the head being replaced with the Jurassic World rex doesn’t look right).

There’s a small chance these sets will also include some collectible material – recently a 4-film Blu-Ray set (not 4K) for the 25th Anniversary went on sale on Amazon UK (pictured above), and includes concept art from the upcoming sequel, Fallen Kingdom. Much like the 4K set, it will be released this May. However, since the listing has updated with imagery, it seems unlikely this set also includes the concept art – but time will tell!

Are you excited for the 4K release of Jurassic Park – and will you buy a 4K TV just for these films if you don’t have one already? I know I’m considering it. Sound off in the comments below!

As always, stay tuned – as soon as images of the 4K transfers become available, we will be sure to run another article. Thanks to Jeremy Conrad for the heads up!

Source: Amazon.com (via Bill Hunt)

Jurassic Park Rex to Appear in Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’

Posted on by Alex Evans

Finally answering months of speculation, a new TV spot for Steven Spielberg’s ‘Ready Player One’ lays to rest the debate over whether or not the film will pay homage to Spielberg’s own work with a resounding YES!

This reference to Spielberg’s portfolio of classics comes in the form of none other than the Jurassic Park Rex!

It was previously reported that Spielberg would not be referencing any of his previous films for fear of it being interpreted as vanity, thankfully however this is not the case and at least one throwback has slipped the net.

The film which is due out later this year, is based on the 2011 novel by Ernest Cline. Despite being set in the future, the novel is grounded in references to pop culture from the 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s. Other references include the time travelling DeLorean from the 1985 hit ‘Back to the Future’ and the titular ‘Iron Giant’ from Brad Bird’s animated classic.

Whilst it remains to be seen if this will be a cameo or more of a featured appearance, this will be the Jurassic Park Rex’s second appearance of the year outside of the Jurassic Park/World franchise, after the Jeep Wrangler advert that debuted at the Super Bowl earlier this month.


‘Ready Player One’ is due out on March the 29th.

Jimmy Buffett to cameo in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Posted on by Josh Evans

In an article from The Hollywood Reporter it has been revealed that Margarita Man himself, Jimmy Buffet, will have a cameo in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. A longtime friend of Jurassic producer Frank Marshall, you may remember Buffet’s cameo in Jurassic World during the attack on Main Street. Now he is back for the upcoming sequel, but whether or not he will be rescuing margaritas again remains to be seen.

“I like to put him in a movie once in a while,” says Frank Marshall of Jimmy Buffett, who has uncredited cameos in both Jurassic World movies, including June’s Fallen Kingdom.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and on our forums!

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Universal Studios Hollywood May Re-theme Jurassic Park: The Ride to Jurassic World According to Rumor

Posted on by Josh Evans

Might we finally get a Jurassic World themed attraction at Universal Studios theme parks?

Yes! Well maybe….kind of? According to a rumor from Theme Park University, Universal Studios Hollywood may be gearing up to transform Jurassic Park: The Ride into a Jurassic World themed ride.

It’s been made public that Comcast wants a new attraction in every Universal park every year moving forward….Which brings us to 2019. If what I’m hearing from folks who work at Universal Studios Hollywood is correct, Jurassic Park: The Ride will be operational through at least part (most?) of the summer season and then close to make a transformation into a Jurassic World The Ride attraction.

While nothing is official and any report should of course be taken fully as a rumor, it does make sense for Universal Studios Hollywood to update Jurassic Park: The Ride. Having opened in June of 1996, the ride will be entering its 22nd year of operation. As pointed out by Theme Park University the animatronic dinosaurs in the ride have become quite dated and are in the need of a major upgrade so a Jurassic World revamp may also indicate new upgraded animatronics.

Further, this aligns with reports we heard some time back, suggesting a makeover was planned (then at IOA rather than Hollywood), re-branding the area to Jurassic World, complete with a state of the art Indominus Rex animatronic. If the general concept still stands, while the ride will take place within ‘Jurassic World’, Jurassic Park should still make an appearance as the ride vehicle is diverted through the old park ruins.

Our speculation would be that it is likely that the ride itself would remain the same as a boat on the same track but that the theming, dinosaurs and ride story would be new (while still following the same basic story structure). It is also likely that the new ride would not only include the Indomnius Rex from the 2015 film, but also Velociraptor Blue and a Mosasaurus cameo. Finally, the old dinosaurs are expected to get entirely new fixtures, featuring actual film accurate designs.

It is unclear if dinosaurs or aspects from the yet unreleased Fallen Kingdom would be included in any possible revamp.

Sadly, this does mean the great ‘Jurassic Park’ theming for the rest of the ride and area would switch to the more modern ‘World’ look – as World borrows from real world parks like Universal and Disney, it offers less of a unique sense of escapism. It remains to be seen how they will keep Jurassic unique, in line with its more safari adventure vibe it is known for, and is currently featuring.

Theme Park University also says that they are hearing this will only be for Universal Studios Hollywood and that currently the Jurassic Park ride at Islands Of Adventure in Flordia won’t be changing.

Also make sure to check out the full rumor article at Theme Park University as they make guesses and speculate themselves of what a Jurassic World themed ride may entail.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and on our forums!

Source: Theme Park University

Jeff Goldblum Stars in New Jurassic Park Jeep Commercial!

Posted on by Chris Pugh

Hold on to your butts – the Jurassic action roars on!

Shortly before kickoff of Super Bowl LII we got a new 90 second look at Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, but it wasn’t the only commercial that was Jurassic themed.

During the third quarter of the big game a commercial from Jeep aired starring Jeff Goldblum for the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler. In what starts as a recreation of the classic T-Rex Jeep chase from Jurassic Park, it takes a hilarious turn as Jeff Goldblum begins to chase the T-Rex. Check out the Jeep Wrangler commercial below:

Not only is the commercial Jurassic Park themed, Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow, who is serving as writer/executive producer on Fallen Kingdom, directed this TV spot for Jeep. Here’s what he had to say:

It’s great to see some extra Dr. Ian Malcolm action, with a flair of humor at that! Sound off ans let us know what you think, and in cased you missed it, don’t forget to check out the Super Bowl TV spot for the film!

Source: YouTube

‘Jurassic World Live’ Arena Stunt Show Announced For 2019!

Posted on by Josh Evans

Hold on to your butts!

Universal Pictures have announced that starting in the Fall of 2019 there will be a live arena show called “Jurassic World Live“.


An official website went live this morning and it offers a brief description of what we can expect from the show.

An All-New, Live Arena Show Coming Fall 2019

Jurassic World Fans — get ready for this all-new, live-action show coming to your hometown! Experience the excitement of coming face to face with life-sized dinosaurs, including the vicious Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Velociraptor Blue and many other favorites. Adventure is guaranteed with arena-sized action, special effects and physical stunts that will leave you on the edge-of-your seat!

Image courtesy of Feld Entertainment (via Jurassic Park Podcast)

Our initial assumption and expectation is that this will be something similar to “Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular” that has been touring the world since 2007. But obviously this new show will be focused on the story and dinosaurs of the Jurassic World films. Check out the Walking with Dinosaurs video below of what the Jurassic World Live show may resemble.

However, despite some surface similarities it seems Jurassic World: Live will roar into new territories, pushing the boundaries of technology to bring the action to life like never before:

Feld Entertainment Inc. and Universal Brand Development are collaborating on a groundbreaking, live-touring show inspired by one of the biggest blockbuster franchises in cinematic history, Jurassic World. Feld will concept, produce and tour the multi-year arena show, which is scheduled to launch fall 2019 in the United States and will continue globally, featuring a herd of life-size dinosaurs extending up to 40-feet long. Using state-of-the-art projection mapping, fans will be transported right onto Isla Nublar, and with the addition of sophisticated animatronics and performer-operated characters, the dinosaurs will literally be the biggest stars of the show as the story is told through human and dinosaur interaction.

To bring this epic dinosaur world to life off the big screen, Feld Entertainment is breaking down the traditional arena barriers that typically exist between the audience and the live action. For the first time in an arena setting, fans will experience the epic wonder, thrills, awe and terror of the Jurassic World franchise up close and in their hometown.

“Fans around the world continue to tell us they want more ways to experience Jurassic World, and the thrilling action and larger-than-life experience of this live arena tour gives them the opportunity to engage in an all new and exciting way,” said Vince Klaseus, President, Universal Brand Development. “Feld Entertainment is best-in-class at creating spectacular live experiences, and this show is able to meet the high expectations of fans worldwide who are craving more interaction with Jurassic World dinosaurs.”

“The live Jurassic World arena experience will create new ways for fans to engage with one of the world’s most popular franchises,” said Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment. “Feld Entertainment has the expertise and experience to bring this iconic franchise to life through an innovative format in an immersive arena setting coupled with a unique narrative that includes iconic locations and fan favorite dinosaurs – creating edge-of-your-seat, live entertainment that is a mix between a stunt show and a 3-D thrill attraction.“

This show sounds quite different than Jurassic World: the Exhibition, the touring museum show which made its debut in 2016. While the exhibition has been met with enthusiasm from fans and families, one of the resounding comments is how the dinosaurs do not look like their film counterparts – perhaps the new live show will remedy this.

Are you excited for a Live arena show based on Jurassic World? Let us know in the comments below and on our forums!

Source: Jurassic World Live, PR Newswire

Factory Entertainment Announce New Jurassic Park Products Ahead of New York Toy Fair!

Posted on by Chris Pugh

In the ever ramping-up recent trend of Jurassic World toy and merchandise reveals, Factory Entertainment has thrown their hat in the ring. While they’re no newcomer to Jurassic, their latest reveals break into new territory.

Yesterday, Factory Entertainment took to social media to announce REVOs (“revolutionary vinyls”) ahead of New York Toy Fair, a line of vinyl figures based on popular film properties such as IT, The Wizard of Oz, Justice League, and of course, Jurassic Park. While yesterday’s reveal was just a tease at what’s to come, we have the exclusive first look at Jurassic Park REVOs mockups!

Sneak peek at WIP rendered mockups – subject to change

About the toys (via Action Figure Insider):

“Unlike any other popular vinyl figures, REVOs™ incorporate Factory Entertainment’s special “spin”– MOVEMENT. The secret—a proprietary, self-righting mechanism built into the base of every REVO™, which allows the figure to revolve, rock and wobble. Movingly charming, you can face your favorite characters off against each other in head to head REVO™ battles and/or build a pop-culture army that’s always on the move. You can spin’em, rock‘em, knock’em and revolve‘em , but you literally can’t put them down!”

REVOs stand about 4 inches tall, with an SRP of $11.99, and are expected to be available the third quarter of 2018. While the sneak peek above gives an awesome first look at the Jurassic portion of the lineup, you’ll have to wait until New York Toy Fair for actual product images, where the first prototypes are expected to debut.

Factory Entertainment additionally provided us with a first look at their prototype Jurassic Park Raptor Claw Bottle Opener, also expected to debut at New York Toy Fair. This particular collectible targets older fans, and would be right up Alan Grants alley – I know it’s something I also plan to pick up!

Finally, the Factory Entertainment Jurassic Park Gates set is expected to be shown off at NYTF, which was previously announced during San Diego Comic Con 2017. The model shown off above is an earlier prototype, and will likely see small revisions in its Toy Fair unveil (where pricing and availability should also become known).

Factory Entertainment has numerous Jurassic collectibles available now, and you can shop their lineup at Entertainment Earth here, as well as check out what Amazon has to offer here!

Sound off in the comments below, and let us know what you think of the Factory Entertainment REVOs and more! As always stay tuned for the latest news – a new Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom trailer is expected to debut during the Super Bowl (February 4th), and Toy Fair is soon after.

Source: Factory Entertainment, Action Figure Insider

Michael Giacchino has seen a cut of Fallen Kingdom and is excited to work with Bayona

Posted on by Josh Evans

Almost one year ago exactly is when we first learned that Academy Award winning composer Michael Giacchino would be returning to work on the score for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Giacchino previously wrote the score on 2015’s Jurassic World and is one of the busiest composers currently in Hollywood. Just in 2017 Giacchino worked on The Book of Henry, Spider-Man: Homecoming, War for the Planet of the Apes and Coco. In 2018 besides Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom he is set to compose the score for Incredibles 2.

In an exclusive interview with Collider, Giacchino briefly touched on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, sharing how excited he is to work with his good friend J.A. Bayona and that he actually has already seen a cut of the film.

COLLIDER: And as for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, I mean we got the idea through the hiring of J. A. Bayona that it’d be a bit of a darker film and they said that as well, but it very much looks like it might have this kind of thriller/horror aspect. Is that something that’s kind of reflected in the score?

GIACCHINO: Well, again, haven’t even written a note of music for that one yet either (laughs).

COLLIDER: Fair, totally fair.

GIACCHINO: But I have seen it, and yes. I love J. A., he and I have known each other for many years, we’ve been friends and we’ve been hoping to work on something together so this, I think, is gonna be a really fun project to do with him. I love his storytelling sensibility and I’m excited to take the storytelling and the franchise somewhere new and different and perhaps that is darker and more moody and more suspenseful. But again, I gotta wait and see where it takes me, but looking forward to that one too.

Michael Giacchino with J.A. Bayona in 2013

What do you think of Giacchino’s comments on working with J.A. Bayona on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below and on our forums!

Special thanks to Fede and Matt on Twitter for the heads up on the interview.

Source: Collider

Jurassic World to Get Expanded Universe with Upcoming Prequel Novel!

Posted on by Chris Pugh

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.

Source: Random House Books