November 25, 2014 by Vinnie Leduc
When Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park first opened over two decades ago, the sci-fi blockbuster captured the imaginations of millions (even the ones who had already read Michael Crichton’s bestselling book), broke box-office records (highest opening weekend and highest overall gross ever at the time), and raked in dozens of awards (most notably a trio of Oscars for its breakthrough achievements in sound and special effects).
Having checked out the 3D re-release last year, I can confidently say that Jurassic Park still holds up after 21 years and remains as one of the best and most popular movies of all time. Unfortunately, you can’t say the same thing about its sequels.
Jurassic World, the fourth adventure of the franchise, hopes to change all that. Despite the deaths of Crichton and Richard Attenborough (John Hammond) as the next sequel languished in development hell, its first official trailer suggests that Jurassic World will be more like the first Jurassic Park. The when-theme-park-animals-attack premise may be a bit too familiar (almost like a reboot… and when will tasty humans ever learn?), but Jurassic World will most likely be one of the most anticipated and biggest motion picture events of 2015.
It’s nearly a guarantee because while the dinos are definitely the main attraction, Jurassic World‘s human headliner is Chris Pratt, whose stock has skyrocketed this year as the star of two of the three highest grossing (and best) 2014 movies so far (Guardians of the Galaxy and The Lego Movie). Pratt leads an entirely new cast aside for the original’s BD Wong.
Like for Jurassic Park III, Spielberg will only be producing. This time Spielberg has left the helm to director and co-writer Colin Trevorrow, known for the critically acclaimed indie comedy Safety Not Guaranteed. And that beautiful yet haunting piano rendition of John Williams’ famous theme? That could only be Michael Giacchino, probably the best living film composer not named Hans Zimmer.
Jurassic World opens in 3D and IMAX 3D on June 12, 2015.
Hat tip to Young Vo for the news lead!
