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

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 Despite its outdated science, the original ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ remains the pinnacle of how to tell these stories in a way that is completely alluring, realistic, and genuinely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

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

Composer Ben Bartlett says:

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

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

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

Before I go any further about the music in this release, I have to address the elephant in the room: the cover. For whatever reason, AI art has been used and does not represent the show well at all. My only guess is that images from the show itself couldn’t be used for copyright reasons, but I personally feel anything other than AI should have been considered. Thankfully, Ben Bartlett has been pointed out this issue and appears to be rectifying it with a call for paleo artists. If interested, reach out to him via this e-mail. When the cover is updated, this article will be as well.

As for the music itself in this new release, it appears to be remastered and is a tad louder than before. In terms of music that was previously unreleased, there are really only two tracks.

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

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

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

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

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

‘Walking With Beasts’ will also have a new soundtrack release on October 10th. This new release of the equally fantastic score will include seven never-before-heard tracks from the show, performed by the BBC Singers. It will be available on the same platforms as ‘Walking With Dinosaurs.’ A vinyl release of both scores will also be released in the future. Sadly, CD collectors, like me, appear to be omitted from all releases (the format isn’t dead yet!).

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

Frontier Includes Details for ‘New Jurassic World Game’ in Latest Report

Frontier Developments released their latest portfolio strategy and financial reports, which included information about the ongoing development of their third Jurassic World game.

The report states:

‘Development is on track for a third Jurassic World game coming in FY26, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, alongside the promotional support of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s all-new film, Jurassic World Rebirth, currently scheduled for release on 2 July 2025.’

News broke back in June of Frontier developing a third Jurassic Park Evolution game. The news was met with mixed reactions. While it is exciting to see Frontier continuing to delve into the world of Jurassic, the question of “is another Evolution needed?” hovers.

The announcement of the third game came only weeks after the Park Manager’s DLC Pack release for Jurassic World Evolution 2. So, with JWE2 still getting new content, what is the need for a whole new game? Furthermore, the overall release of JWE2 felt muddled. The game’s initial release felt incomplete and was rife with bugs. Then DLCs and content that felt like it should’ve been included to begin with were sold separately over months at varying prices. While a beautiful and masterful game, it’s been hard to not feel the constant twist of the capitalistic knife during the entirety of JWE2’s existence. And, if I’m being honest, that’s exactly what a Jurassic World Evolution 3 feels like.

While JWE2 certainly expanded (and in some cases perfected) what JWE1 started, it perhaps doesn’t feel as if there has been enough growth or change to warrant yet another entry in the series. In fact, some gamers and Jurassic fans have pointed to that being a reason why they weren’t interested in JWE2 even.

So, what are some things that Frontier could change or include that would turn Jurassic World Evolution 3 into an instant MUST? We have some thoughts.

1.) More “Scientifically Accurate” skins (ala Rex 65 MYA, Utahraptor, Deinocheirus,) and skins we don’t have yet

On top of expecting every species of animal and their skins that we’ve had thus far in the JWE canon, we’d LOVE to see skins that we haven’t had yet for certain animals (*cough* TLW Ptera *cough*).

We would also love if a lot more of them got the “realistic” makeover. Come on, gimme a small feathered Velociraptor. A fluffy compy. A seven-meter-long Dilophosaurus.

2.) Dinosaurs from the Universe and Juveniles

While there are a great many species included in JWE, there are still several dinosaurs from the Jurassic canon missing. Fans love to try and recreate scenes from the books, games, and more- we want to see some of our favorite dinosaurs from different parts of the series brought to life. Psittacosaur. Coelurus. Mussaurus. Ornitholestes. We can go on. Call us Frontier, we got a list on standby.

Also, it would be amazing if we could finally get juveniles, or even eggs and nests. Juveniles alone would be a great addition, for being able to make a Gentle Giants Petting Zoo, a proper Tyrant family on Isla Sorna, or hidden raptor tribes in the jungles of your park. The Jurassic franchise shows off so many amazing juvenile dinosaurs, yet we’ve never had a Jurassic game that lets us have them in our park. It’s a shame.

3.) Create your own hybrid

Enough said. I want to just have a high-quality version of the splicing machine in my Jurassic Park 3 Dino Dex. Is that too much to ask for?

4.) Rides/Coasters/Attraction creation

River Adventure/Kayak Ride is a must, first off. We’ve been begging for it forever.

On top of that, it would just be wonderful to actually build other attractions. We’ve seen the Jurassic franchise utilize “rides” in the stories for their theme parks, and in expanded material like Camp Cretaceous, Jurassic Park The Game, and more. Rides are undeniably an important part of any theme park, and there’s a severe lack of rides in the JWE games. Let us build our own VelociCoaster.

5.) More “Non-Dinosaurs”

Deinosuchus, Sarcosuchus, Megalania, Beelzebufu, Postosuchus, maybe even large arthropods? And, come on, it’s time for some mammals.

6.) ADS System

A key plot element in Jurassic World: Dominion, BioSyn’s ADS system helps keep the pterosaurs in their vally corraled and under a certain height, outside of “aviary” like enclosures.

It’d be great if this was added to the game so that we could have pterosaurs flying around in paddocks with other animals, but not necessarily able to fly around our parks doing damage and killing guests.

7.) More Decorations, Building Modification Options, and “Stops” for Guests

More signage, rest areas, smoking areas, smaller vending decorations, TLW double trailers, building ruins, the list is honestly endless.

8.) More ranger missions.

Where JW2 really shines is on the missions during the various modes. Frontier took the idea of small missions that goes back to Jurassic Park Operation Genesis and made them so immersive that you truly get wrapped up in the beauty, the chase, or the tension sometimes during these tasks. They are the best moments of the game, and we desperately want more of them.

So, tell us, what do you want from Jurassic World Evolution 3?

Everything Jurassic at San Diego Comic-Con 2024

San Diego Comic-Con 2024 is coming up this weekend, July 25-28, 2024! There will be plenty of Jurassic at the con with Mattel and Jurassic World: Chaos Theory making major appearances and plenty of Jurassic-related creators and merchandise present. Jurassic Outpost will be on-site and have you covered on all things Jurassic! Read on for details on all of the Jurassic-related panels and appearances at SDCC 2024:


Camp Cretaceous and Why We Love Dinosaurs

Sunday July 28, 2024 11:30am – 12:30pm PDT Room 29CD

The Jurassic Park/World franchises have fascinated audiences and have inspired a whole generation of dinosaur lovers and paleontologists. Gabriel-Philip Santos and Michelle Barboza-Ramirez, hosts of the PBS digital series PBS Eons and co-founders of Cosplay for Science, invite a group of experts to break down the dino-DNA of the dinosaurs seen in the latest chapter of the Jurassic World franchise, Chaos Theory, and explore exactly what it is about these “terrible lizards” that continues to capture audiences of all ages. Featuring Dr. Stuart Sumida (paleontologist, Camp Cretaceous technical consultant), Randy Flores (geochemist, UCLA), Dr. Hank Woolley (paleontologist, Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County), Dr. Lisa Lundgren (education researcher, Utah State University), and Tony Turner (educator, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County).

Inside Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

Sunday July 28, 2024 3:00pm – 4:00pm PDT Room 6DE

Set six years after the events at Camp Cretaceous, members of “The Nublar Six” are struggling to find their footing off the islands, navigating a world now filled with dinosaurs and people who want to hurt them. From DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures, and Amblin Entertainment, executive producers Scott Kreamer and Aaron Hammersley along with series cast members offer an inside look at the hit Netflix series Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, and what’s in store for season 2.

Fans in attendance will also get to see the first episode of season 2 of Chaos Theory early and will receive an exclusive poster.

Mattel Jurassic Design Panel – “From the Aisle to the Isle”

Friday July 26, 2024 12:15pm – 1:15pm PDT Mattel Booth #3029 Hall D

Mattel’s yearly showcase of upcoming Jurassic Park & Jurassic World toys and the design process that goes into creating them.

Spotlight on the Fantastic (Comics) Worlds of William Stout – Artist Panel

Friday July 26, 2024 3:00pm – 4:00pm PDT Room 29AB

William Stout has attended every single Comic-Con. His massive book Fantastic Worlds covers his 50 years as a professional artist. This talk will mostly be about his work in comics and the comics giants he has worked with. It’s a selected preview of his three-volume box set on all of his comics work coming soon from Flesk Publications. Bill will also give fans a sneak peek at his two forthcoming Flesk books on his two decks of playing card art, each boasting 56 new painted images.

William Stout worked on the canceled Escape From Jurassic Park animated series, and will also be in Artist Alley for merchandise sales and signings.

Spotlight on Liz Climo – Artist Panel hosted by See Jurassic Right‘s Steven Ray Morris

Thursday July 25, 2024 11:00am – 12:00pm PDT Room 32AB

Liz Climo (creator of The Little World of Liz Climo and international bestselling author and illustrator) and popular podcast host Steven Ray Morris (See Jurassic Right, Keanan and Lakin Give You Déjà Vu, My Favorite Murder) discuss the past 20 years of her career, from her work on The Simpsons to her shift into webcomics, and her last ten years in publishing.


Follow along on Jurassic Outpost for all Jurassic updates from SDCC 2024!

Jurassic Park X Smiggle – A Collection 65 Million Years in the Making

School and leisure essentials company Smiggle has announced a collaboration with Universal Pictures and Jurassic Park! Jurassic Park’s 30th anniversary will continue to be celebrated with really awesome backpacks, lunchboxes, cups, and other gear covered in fun and retro Jurassic colors and imagery. Check out more images and read more about the collaboration line below!


Celebrate the most thrilling of Smiggle collections this Easter – the Jurassic Park x Smiggle Collection is now available in Smiggle stores and online!

Welcome to the prehistoric playground of Jurassic Park x Smiggle, where imaginations run wild! This limited-edition range – including backpacks, lunchboxes, drink bottles, gadgets, travel accessories and more – is sure to bring some dinosaur-sized excitement to Smiggle fans everywhere.

Grab your visitor pass and embark on an amazing journey with this limited-edition collection made for all explorers and show some roarsome Jurassic Park style every day!

All your favourite dinosaurs are coming out to play to help you explore the natural world with this prehistoric collection inspired by the original Jurassic Park film.

The appeal of dinosaurs never grows old and kids (and grown ups) will love the new found inspiration in this collection of accessories and gifts for all ages.

All your favorite Smiggle products have been expertly crafted in Jurassic Park style, with those extra special touches, super materials and special finishes that you expect from the design crew at Smiggle.

As always, there is so much more to choose from in store and online. Smiggle is the perfect place to fill your home with fun and excitement!

The Jurassic Park x Smiggle Collection is now available at Smiggle stores nationally or online at smiggle.com with prices ranging from $9.95 to $49.95.

But wait there’s (even) more… Smiggle’s product range is enormous.

Everything you need for school, holidays or FUN can be found at Smiggle.

Smiggle’s products are designed to inspire and develop creativity with original, fun and affordable stationery, accessories, gadgets and more.

About SMIGGLE

Smiggle is the ultimate destination for your school, birthday and leisure essentials. From backpacks and drink bottles, to gift packs and key-rings, Smiggle is the original creator of all things colourful, fun, unique and on trend.

Smiggle was established in 2003 in Melbourne Australia, originally opening 20 concept stores around the country. By 2007, Smiggle had joined the Just Group – owned by Premier Investments Limited, the ASX listed retail conglomerate.

Fast-forward to 2016 and Smiggle stores had rapidly expanded across Australia and could also be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Today, Smiggle retails from hundreds of standalone stores and wholesale “shop-in-shop” concepts, across multiple countries.

About JURASSIC PARK

Experience one of the biggest films in motion picture history with director Steven Spielberg’s ultimate thrill ride, Jurassic Park – celebrating 30 years in 2023! Featuring Academy Award®- winning visual effects and groundbreaking filmmaking, this epic film is sheer movie-making magic that was 65 million years in the making. Jurassic Park takes you to an amazing theme park on a remote island where dinosaurs once again roam the Earth, and five people must battle to survive among the prehistoric predators. Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Richard Attenborough, discover the breath-taking adventure you will want to experience again and again.



What do you think about this amazing Jurassic Park collaboration, and will you be picking up any of these items? Be sure to check out the entire Smiggle x Jurassic Park collection here.

‘Jurassic Park: The Official Script Book’ From Insight Editions Is Loaded With Annotations & Concept Art!

The ‘Jurassic’ film franchise has received several fantastic behind-the-scenes books over the years. The original ‘Making Of’ books from the 1990s for ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’ are regarded as some of the best ever made. In 2021, Insight Editions produced ‘Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History,’ featuring stories and never-before-seen imagery from the original trilogy, including ‘Jurassic Park 3’ for the first time. Their fantastic chronicle was followed by ‘Jurassic World: The Ultimate Visual History,’ wonderfully detailing the making of all three ‘Jurassic World’ films.

All these books discussed the various scripts that were written: a vital part in creating a strong skeleton to support the body of each film. It’s a process that can take a lot of time, and a lot of drafts, to get just right. Their creation is more interesting and complicated than people may realize, making a whole book dedicated to the subject something ‘Jurassic’ fans have wanted for some time. Each of the six films in the franchise (so far) undoubtedly has fascinating stories behind their screenplays. However, the original film, adapted from the bestselling novel by Michael Crichton, had perhaps the biggest challenges.

Thanks once again to Insight Editions, a documented history of this process, with the final screenplay by David Koepp, is finally told in ‘Jurassic Park: The Official Script Book.’

Jurassic Park gave moviegoers an unforgettable thrill ride. Now, on the film’s 30th anniversary, fans can experience Jurassic Park in an all-new way with this deluxe, annotated edition of Michael Crichton and David Koepp’s script. This script book is annotated by franchise expert James Mottram (Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History, Jurassic World: The Ultimate Visual History), offering commentary and insight into the behind-the-scenes story of the film. Fully illustrated with film stills, concept art, and other key visuals, this is a must-have collectible for Jurassic Park fans and a fitting tribute to a landmark film.

There is a lot more to this book than simply David Koepp’s script. To discover what’s beyond the cover, join me on a grand adventure at Isla Nublar via the video below (or an abridged version)! For an even more detailed look, continue reading this article!

WHAT’S INSIDE?

               DAVID KOEPP’S 12-11-1992 FINAL CONTINUITY DRAFT

The book features the 12-11-1992 draft by David Koepp, known as the final “Continuity Script.” What sets it apart from a more polished final draft are some beefier descriptions and the inclusion of some alternate dialogue for sequences that director Steven Spielberg would have to choose from. This gives the reader an additional “alternate universe” for certain scenes. The script also includes some moments that were filmed but cut, such as the reveal of why the Triceratops was only sick “every six weeks” and not all the time.

The only part of the script not included are the “Appendices.” These were two pages at the end of the script that had John Hammond’s dialogue heard during the lunch scene as a slide show played behind the characters. Most copies of the script didn’t include these pages, so their absence isn’t exactly inaccurate to what the majority of cast and crew members had. Thankfully, they do at least get mentioned in one of the book’s many annotations, featuring a summary of what they consisted of.

               INTRODUCTION & ANNOTATIONS BY JAMES MOTTRAM

The author of both Insight Editions ‘Jurassic’ Visual History books returns to provide additional content alongside the script. A lengthy introduction details the overall history of the film’s screenplays, before unveiling Koepp’s draft itself. Nearly every spread features an annotated section on the side, containing information that ranges from details exclusively revealed by David Koepp himself, comparisons to earlier drafts, alternate ideas from the previous screenwriters, and other behind-the-scenes intel. The added material James Mottram provides is written in a clear and engaging way that greatly stirs the excitement of the reader as they delve into the film’s script. One of the many exclusive quotes from Koepp explains why his original draft did not include Ian Malcolm; the mathematician who constantly is at odds with what ‘Jurassic Park’ is trying to accomplish.

“Honestly, it was because it was too hard,” he admits. “If you read the book, he talks a lot. He talks about math a lot, and he talks and abstracts a lot. And I just couldn’t figure out how to make it visual. I couldn’t figure out how to. And I thought about all sorts of things.”

               INSIGHT ABOUT THE PREVIOUS SCREENWRITERS AND THEIR DRAFTS

As mentioned, the annotations not only cover Koepp and his various drafts but also the screenwriters who tackled the film before him. Michael Crichton was the first to adapt his own novel into a screenplay, producing a pair of completed drafts. One detail James conjures is how a Crichton draft opened with a scene that would later front Spielberg’s film adaptation of ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park.’

In his revised draft, Crichton opened with a variation on the novel’s second major sequence, where a young vacationer, Tina, is attacked on a deserted Costa Rican beach by a Compy. He also includes another early scene from the novel, set at New York’s Tropical Disease Lab, in which one Dr. Richard Stone and his technician Alice examine Tina’s sketch of the Compy, with Stone reaching the conclusion it’s a lizard.

This book is the first official publication to reveal that Rick Carter, the production designer of ‘Jurassic Park,’ also created his own unique “working document” draft. He wrote and assembled it during the production’s downtime when Steven Spielberg left to film ‘Hook.’ Jurassic Time created an epic “illustrated audio drama” version of his take on the film, which includes a unique item most fans would certainly love: a Spitter umbrella that squirts water from its “mouth.” Rick details the inclusion of this gag, among many other new notes.

“The idea of an umbrella squirting water is pretty ridiculously funny,” says Carter. “You have this thing designed to keep the water out. It’s actually squirting water!” The concept of a branded novelty umbrella came up during brainstorming sessions, adds Carter, when he and others on the team began to consider, “How would the dinosaur experience be commercialized in that park, and that Visitor Center?”

James also had an exclusive conversation with Malia Scotch Marmo, the penultimate screenwriter brought on board. While she only penned a single draft as well, her ideas were still an important part of the screenwriting process until Spielberg ultimately chose another direction. Scotch Marmo even contributed to a vital casting recommendation that became a reality!

Described in the book as “twenty-four and darkly tanned,” with her blonde hair tied back, Dr. Ellie Sattler proved to be a difficult role to cast. “Steven sent me clips of young actresses to play Ellie,” recalls Scotch Marmo. “The clips showcased the actresses in previous film roles. I noticed they were all ingénues. They had youth and a certain naïveté and freshness. I kept thinking they were missing the mark. Ellie is a scientist. Perhaps because my father was an astrophysicist, I couldn’t buy the actors he was showing me as realistic in any way . . . in a science fiction movie like Jurassic Park believability was essential. Steven is very open to push back, and he asked, ‘Who would you like?’” The writer made a case for Laura Dern, who coincidentally had impressed Spielberg in the 1985 film Smooth Talk.

               LOADS OF CONCEPT ARTWORK, STORYBOARDS, & OTHER IMAGES

While both ‘Jurassic’ Visual History books were filled with production artwork and other images from the entire franchise, this book is only focused on the first film. Despite the included script being essentially the film that made it to the screen, the pages are filled with seemingly endless concept art, storyboards, and blueprints that cover many iterations. These materials transport the reader into the film’s art department during the creative process that helped shape the story just as much as the scripts did. This includes early designs by John Bell for lead characters before the actors were cast, never-before-seen storyboards of the famous Main Road attack sequence by David Lowery, a pair of slides from the lunch room scene by Caroline Quinn, and numerous artwork showcasing the omitted river and helicopter attack sequences. Peppered throughout are wonderful stills and other photographs from the film itself. Overall, much of the amazing artwork is not present in the other Insight Editions volumes, or any book.

Countless artists worked on the film, for a much longer period than most get these days. All the concept artwork is credited to each artist; however, the storyboards were tricky to identify given several artists often worked on just a single sequence. The final page of the book credits those artists who were able to be identified, but the entire art department should be forever applauded for their immense contributions to this film.

It wouldn’t be an honest article without referring to the “dinosaur in the room”: the front cover of this book. The artwork used was not made during the production of the film, but a recent selection of “key art” provided by Universal. To put it nicely, it’s definitely not the cover I would have chosen. It doesn’t appear inside the book itself, although a small selection of other recent artwork to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary is present. They are, thankfully, quite a bit more appealing.

               FAN CONSULTATION

To be completely transparent, I (Derrick Davis) consulted on this book! I’ve been a massive fan of ‘Jurassic Park’ ever since I saw it at my local drive-in when I was 6 years old (which featured a sign that looks suspiciously familiar to those who have seen the extended cut of ‘Jurassic World: Dominion.’). I went on to create Jurassic Time, producing various programs and conducting interviews with people who worked on the films. I’ve also written many articles for Jurassic Outpost since 2021. I was also a consultant for Criterion’s release of Karel Zeman’s classic prehistoric film ‘Journey To The Beginning Of Time’ and the re-release of the ‘Jurassic Park’ soundtrack from La-La Land Records.

However, being asked by James Mottram to join him in the production of this book was a dream come true. I have always been entranced by the many scripts of ‘Jurassic Park,’ as well as the thousands of artwork that was created before cameras ever rolled. After I read the original ‘Making Of Jurassic Park’ book, I was obsessed with peeking further behind the curtain to see the creative process of how it was all done. Over the years, I collected hard to find documents and artwork that would have otherwise been lost in time. Several of these materials, along with my own insights, enhanced this book’s content. To be associated with a book like this, for my favorite film, is something I will be eternally thankful for.

Another fan is given special mention for helping with this book: Astrid Vega (pictured with me, above, in 2018). She once ran The Jurassic Park Collection, until she sadly passed away in 2019. Astrid was a collector of many production materials that she shared with fans for years, and thanks to her, some of those are now showcased in this book.

               DIGITAL E-BOOK EDITION ALSO AVAILABLE

While the physical hardcover edition is my preferred way to possess this unique book, there is also a digital e-book version available separately. This is a departure from both “Visual History” books, since those featured additional inserts that were referenced in the text that couldn’t be adapted in this format. Some may prefer a digital version for the cheaper price point and to avoid high shipping costs in certain areas of the world. E-books are also handy for quicker research, with the ability to find text in seconds. The way I see it, having a digital edition also available ensures all ‘Jurassic Park’ fans have a fair chance to seek a copy of this book!

THE PERFECT WAY TO CONCLUDE THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY!

This year’s 30th anniversary of ‘Jurassic Park’ is coming to an end, and what better way to celebrate it than by experiencing every word of the film in this fully illustrated form? Yeah, I know, I may be a little biased in this endorsement. However, I hope this detailed article on what the book consists of, with some exclusive first-look images, will entice you to seek a hardcover or digital copy today! This is the kind of book I have always wanted for ‘Jurassic Park!’ James Mottram, and the staff of Insight Editions, have gone out of their way to make this new entry in their series “spared no expense.” Perhaps someday the other films in the series will get script books of their own? There are definitely more stories to uncover, and artwork that deserves to be unearthed, before becoming extinct.

For an even deeper look at how this book was created, check out an engaging conversation with annotator & author James Mottram and consultant Derrick Davis.

Do you plan on checking out the first script book ever for a ‘Jurassic Park’ film? Would you like to see Insight Editions tackle ‘The Lost World’ next? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay informed with Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

Production Designer Rick Carter Celebrates The 30th Anniversary Of ‘Jurassic Park’ With A New Art Exhibit & Prints!

The 30th anniversary of ‘Jurassic Park’ is nearing extinction. While there was sadly no major fan event akin to Universal Studios Hollywood’s 25th anniversary celebration, there were at least smaller opportunities throughout the year; such as theatrical screenings and an elaborate tribute store in Orlando. However, for those near Los Angeles, California, there is one final event to commemorate the third decade of ‘Jurassic.’

Production designer Rick Carter’s new art exhibition in Los Angeles, “Trip Outs & In”, is a showcase of his recent original paintings, cinematic collages, and A.I. inspired collages. It includes Rick’s “cinema room,” featuring artworks that reflect his production design process and film memorabilia from ‘Jurassic Park’ in honor of the film’s 30th anniversary! This special exhibit was created by Rick’s son, Jim Carter, through his Artist Agency Legacy West Media. Sponsored by The Container Yard, Excel Image Group, Sierra Nevada, The Lapis Press, & Jurassic Outpost!

Rick Carter’s production design process has been instrumental in bringing classic films to life for decades, such as ‘Forrest Gump’, ‘Back To The Future 2’, & ‘Avatar.’ They all get a spotlight in the “cinema room”, but Rick’s ‘Jurassic’ art features unique collages he created during ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World: Jurassic Park’. For the first film, he cobbled together ideas for the now-iconic Visitor Center, and for the sequel he depicted dinosaurs on and off Isla Sorna.

During this time, prints of some of these collages from the ‘Jurassic’ films are on sale at Rick Carter’s Art site! These limited edition prints are numbered and signed by Rick himself, making for a unique and special addition to any fan’s collection!

The exhibit also features original art by Rick that is not related to any film, including portraits of faces that come to his mind. This collection of art, with prints also available, details Rick’s personal connection to faces of the world.

Rick Carter’s “Yellow Woman.”

“As an artist I have attempted over the years […] to express the spirit of the many people who now travel within me as I continue my journey [around the world]. […] Many of the people I now paint or draw have come from my imagination. I don’t know who will emerge when I begin. But I do know where most of them come from. They are derived mostly from the people I encountered while traveling. Over time, some of them have become embedded and then embellished like pearls into almost real characters within my soul. They resonate as a group inside of me – creating a dialogue amongst my inner collection of people.”

This exhibit will run from December 2nd to December 11th, but the prints will remain online until they are sold out. Don’t miss out on your chance to see or own official prints of production artwork from ‘Jurassic Park!’ It’s amazing that even after thirty years there is still much to see and talk about regarding the original films from the franchise. Rick’s art is a capsule of special moments in time where his creativity gave birth to what we all know and love today. But his vision goes beyond the films he worked on, and this exhibit is an amazing tribute to his inspirational talent, and an amazing human being.

Rick Carter with a Stan Winston animatronic T-Rex during the production of ‘Jurassic Park.’

For a look at how Rick Carter also adapted the script of ‘Jurassic Park’ during the film’s production, watch Jurassic Time’s ‘Rick Carter’s Jurassic Park,’ an illustrated audio drama! Also check out the newly-released ‘Jurassic Park: The Official Script Book‘ that contains new quotes from Rick with a concept sketch he made for the Visitor Center’s rotunda!

Rick Carter’s sketch artwork featured on the page to the right.

(Exhibit photos by James Meledandri.)

Will you be able to visit Rick Carter’s exhibit? Interested in his art prints? Did you know collages like Rick’s are instrumental in the design process of films like ‘Jurassic Park?’ Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to Jurassic Outpost for the latest!

Isla Sorna Expedition Pack Joins the Legacy Collection in Our Final Episode of Beyond The Gates!

This year has been full of exciting reveals from Mattel and the final episode is no different! Joining the Legacy Collection and expanding the vehicles from The Lost World: Jurassic Park, it’s the Isla Sorna Expedition Pack!

Featuring none other than Dieter Stark, this set comes with Compies, a Velociraptor, and InGen’s Unimog, based upon the original concept art for the movie by John Bell!

Join Chris, Mattel’s MVP Rafael Bencosme, along with conceptual artist on Jurassic Park and The Lost World John Bell who talks us through his artwork and inspiration! Watch the episode below:

The Isla Sorna Expedition Pack from Mattel is now available to pre-order exclusively (in the US) at Target.com! Don’t miss your chance to grow your own InGen vehicle collection by pre-ordering now.

We wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who watched Beyond The Gates and supported the show over these last three years. It has been such an honour to work on this program, and to work so closely with the talented people at Universal Pictures and Mattel.

We always intended the episodes to feature as much new behind the scenes material as we could, and getting to speak with the incredible talent who made our favourite movies has been nothing short of a dream. Learning the processes behind designing Mattel’s collectibles with the very designers themselves has been so exciting, and we hope we’ve managed to entertain along the way.

Beyond The Gates spanned three seasons, and spawned the spinoff show Jurassic World Revealed which we also produced and localized for 7 countries.

We also want to take a moment to thank the incredibly talented composer Caleb Burnett who has been with us from the very beginning. He composed our wonderful theme music and episodic music throughout and also worked with us on Revealed. Beyond The Gates wouldn’t be what it is without you!

While our work with the show is coming to an end, you can expect more great things in the near future! Thank you again to our wonderful partners and to all of you for watching along!

– Jack and Chris

Order the Jurassic Park ‘Lab Tour Dr. Henry Wu’ on Mattel Creations!

THE DOCTOR IS IN! And Mr. DNA, where did you come from?

Mattel Creations have just launched pre-orders for this all-new Hammond Collection set, the Jurassic World Hammond Collection Lab Tour Dr. Henry Wu.

The set is a limited exclusive to Mattel Creations and is available to pre-order for $30 USD directly at the Mattel Creations website!

Check out the detail below:

Gain access to InGen’s ground zero, where the greatest dino DNA discoveries unfolded. Inside the Hammond Lab, your tour is led by the less-than-humble technician, Dr. Henry Wu, and an anthropomorphic double helix, Mr. DNA. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park, our exclusive set features first-time Hammond Collection characters, transporting you to the start of a story that’s millions of years old.   The journey opens in the unboxing. Breach the security system doors to enter the lab, where lights flicker ominously. The packaging includes film details, an egg incubator, and other testing equipment. There are even sounds, as Dr. Wu and Mr. DNA have 4 button-activated phrases triggered through a button on the packaging.   

• JURASSIC WORLD HAMMOND COLLECTION Lab Tour Dr. Henry Wu 
• Dr. Wu figure has swappable hands and 4 button-activated phrases 
• Mr. DNA speaks with 4 button-activated phrases      
• Accessories include a lab clipboard, raptor hatchling, and pencil 
• Lab lights flicker  
• Packaging features Mr. DNA, dino DNA genetic board, egg incubator structure, and testing equipment   

Colors and decorations may vary. Purchase limits subject to change at the sole discretion of Mattel.

The set joins an ever-growing variety of Jurassic Park and Jurassic World collectibles from Mattel’s Hammond Collection. Check out a gallery of photos below!

A lot of love has gone into this set and if you want to grow your own Jurassic collection with the original 1993 Dr. Henry Wu, be sure to pre-order it now, directly on Mattel Creations!

‘Beasts of the Mesozoic’ Creator Launches CYBERZOIC – Sci Fi Dinosaur and Dragon Action Figures with Kickstarter Campaign

Indie toymaker Creative Beast has launched its first science-fiction IP via a Kickstarter campaign! Cyberzoic is created by toy industry veteran David Silva who’s known for the successful Beasts of the Mesozoic line of dinosaur collectibles.

David has worked with Neca, McFarlane, and on the 2009 Jurassic Park Hasbro toy line, and you can check out our 2021 interview with David about his work here.

Inspired by classic sci-fi and fantasy properties Dino-Riders, Transformers, Masters of the Universe, and Zoids, Cyberzoic follows humanity’s fight for survival on a distant planet in the future. Its intricate action figures and comic books feature armored dinosaurs, dragons, prehistoric mammals, alien wildlife, and warring human clans.

Those who want to back the Cyberzoic Kickstarter have until Thursday, November 2nd at 9pm ET. Check out the feature gallery below along with the full press release!

Read the full press release below:

HACKENSACK, NJ – October 3, 2023 – Creative Beast Studio today launched its first unique science fiction IP “Cyberzoic” with a Kickstarter campaign. Cyberzoic tells a compelling story about the near-extinction of humankind via a dedicated line of intricate action figures and comic book series depicting armored dinosaurs, fearsome dragons, prehistoric mammals, and various alien wildlife. Its singular narrative will engage sci-fi, fantasy, wildlife, and action figure enthusiasts. Fans can support the Cyberzoic Kickstarter campaign here.

Toy designer David Silva originally conceived the Cyberzoic storyline in college. Inspired by classic sci-fi and fantasy properties including Dino-Riders, Transformers, Masters of the Universe, and Zoids, but with a hard edge aimed at adults, Cyberzoic explores themes of power, technological innovation, environmentalism, conservation, culture, colonialism, and our place among the natural world. Leaning on 20 years of experience crafting figures for major entertainment brands including Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Spiderman, G.I. Joe, Terminator 2, Aliens, Predator, Spawn, and Pacific Rim,as well as launching a line of scientifically-accurate dinosaur action figures, “Beasts of the Mesozoic,” David is finally bringing his Cyberzoic vision to life as only he can. 

“I’ve been so inspired by sci-fi and adventure stories since I was a kid. I also loved natural history growing up, but the entertainment properties that catered to this passion never fully achieved the artistic potential of their premises, often compromising the wonder and beauty that true natural history has to offer in favor of more familiar trends and tropes. To finally put my own spin on a concept that brings together people, dinosaurs, and dragons is a dream come true,” said Silva. “I’ve had the foundation of Cyberzoic kicking around in my head for three decades. After the success of the ‘Beasts of the Mesozoic’ brand, it was time to develop a story on the opposite end of that timeline, bringing the dinosaurs into the science fiction genre and making Cyberzoic a reality. My goal is not only to present ideas and concepts that people have never seen together before, but also explore our connection with other forms of life, both familiar and alien.” 

The initial $205,000 Kickstarter goal includes all-new action figures of the two main characters, Dragolina and Argentues, a fan-favorite dinosaur (Allosaurus), the mighty Arctic Dragon, and the legendary Saber-toothed Tiger! There are four human clans planned to be represented (Tech, Fire, Dragon, and Desert), all living among dragons, dinosaurs, prehistoric mammals, and alien wildlife. Other popular dinosaurs not yet released in Creative Beasts’ “Beasts of the Mesozoic” series will be featured in Cyberzoic as stretch goal items, including Dilophosaurus, Deinonychus, Carnotaurus, Utahraptor, and Achillobator. And from their backward compatibility with several Beasts of the Mesozoic dinosaur figures, several of the new dinosaur armor units can convert into vehicles or robotic animals! 

The Kickstarter will also include an exclusive art print and concept art calendar for 2024, only available during the campaign. A comic book is planned to be included with the figures at release, telling the Cyberzoic story through vivid art and character-building storylines.If the initial Kickstarter goal is met, additional animals, human characters, and armor units will be unlocked as stretch goals. 

Set 1
– Allosaurus j. (1/18th) – $100 (MSRP $119.99)
– Dragonslayer armor unit- $40 (MSRP $49.99)
– Argenteus – 4″ pilot- $25 (MSRP $27.99)
– Allosaurus bundle – $155

Set 2
– Smilodon p. (1/12th) – $55 (MSRP $64.99)
– Saberbeast armor unit – $25 (MSRP $29.99)
– Dragolina – 3.75″ rider – $25 (MSRP $27.99)
– Smilodon bundle – $100

Item 3
– Arctic Dragon (Kuraokami) – $200 (MSRP $229.99)

Set 4
– All-In Launch Bundle – $450 (MSRP $550.93)

Cyberzoic Storyline
2170 AD. AI and synthetic ecosystems have solved the problems of overpopulation and hunger. Humanity has now turned its entire focus to exploring the cosmos. Soon manned space flights discover an Earth-like planet capable of sustaining life, which they name Gaea 2. The planet is home to a variety of alien wildlife — including highly-intelligent ‘dragons.’ As humanity studies and colonizes the planet, the dragons fight back, pushing these peaceful visitors to the brink of extinction. 

But all is not well on Earth either. One day, all communication with Gaea 2 stops. There are no more supply shipments and contact with their home planet is completely lost. Soon, the people of Earth are presumed dead except for Gaea 2’s scientific and military residents. But the humans won’t go down so easily. Using the research technology they brought with them, they create biological weapons of their own: genetically-engineered embryos that “birth” Earth’s mightiest prehistoric creatures. Programmed to obey their masters and outfitted in protective armor, these terrifying beasts help the humans push back against the dragon attacks while they terraform Gaea 2. This saves the human species, but destroys the world’s natural habitats.

With the threat of human extinction seemingly resolved, the colonizers split into factions. Each clan champions its own philosophy about ensuring the long-term survival of humanity. Bitter conflicts erupt, leading to power struggles, uneasy alliances, and devastating new technology.

Who will win the war for Gaea 2? Or will humanity eradicate itself?

What do you think of Cyberzoic and will you be supporting the Kickstarter campaign? Share your thoughts below!

Fallen Kingdom’s Carnotaurus Joins The Hammond Collection in Beyond the Gates

Mattel’s Hammond Collection keeps on growing! Last month the show unveiled Owen and Blue from Jurassic World, and this month Fallen Kingdom’s Carnotaurus joins the collection.

Join Chris, Mattel’s Greg Murphy, and Fallen Kingdom’s Visual Effects Supervisor David Vickery who go behind the scenes through the detailed design process for both the toy and the film dinosaur! Check out the full episode below:

This new item from Mattel is now available to pre-order exclusively (in the US) at Target.com! Don’t miss your chance to grow your Fallen Kingdom Hammond Collection by pre-ordering now.

Don’t miss more Beyond The Gates next month!

https://collabs.shop/1bgnax