Jurassic Park 4

Jurassic Park was a staple of the 90's. It made us imagine dinosaurs walking the Earth again. After three films, each somewhat less critically acclaimed than the preceeding one, is it possible that another film is in production? Well, plans are in place.

Exactly one year after Jurassic Park III, Steven Spielberg told Starlog that he would produce another film, and that Joe Johnston, the last film's director, would direct it. That was June of 2002. By November, a release of 2005 was set, with a screenwriter hired to draft a script. Dr. Alan Grant was said to be returning as the main character (with actor Sam Neil reprising the role), and filming would begin in 2004. 2005 came and went, but no Jurassic Park IV.

Delays plagued production staff. Spielberg saw draft after draft of scripts, none of which satisfied him. But some of them had very good ideas. One featured Nick Harris, a character introduced in the third film, journeying to Isla Nublar and finding Dennis Nedry's can of embryos. Seriously, haven't we wanted to see that since the first film?

In 2007, Universal released a few news bits on the fourth film. Sam Neil was no longer in talks. Instead, the production team looked to Laura Dern's character Ellie Satler, perhaps a natural choice since the previous sequels featured only member of the original team in the new adventures. Richard Attenborough had been asked to return as John Hammond. Even Jeff Goldblum was on the ticket. The plans shifted to a 2008 release. Again, that came and went.

While delay after delay terrorized the people of Universal, something happened on November 4. Michael Crichton passed away. The author of the novel Jurassic Park lost a battle with throat cancer. The novel was the source of the first film, spawning a sequel novel, which became the second film. Steven Spielberg was among the many mourners.

Two producers made a statement in December when asked about the fourth film. One said Michael's passing felt like that was it, a clear sign. Don't mess with it. Nevertheless, Universal has kept the film on its docket. The studio still plans to produce it, but whether those plans will be scrapped is anyone's guess.

But the bigger question is this: do we the fans really want another film? Many would say no. Some would say definitely yes. Many others would see it out of curiosity. The two sequels were both received with moderate acclaim at best. The second film was more terrifying, but featured Ian Malcolm as the central character. While Malcolm played an important role in Jurassic Park, a sort of moral compass, he was a weak choice for a direct sequel.

Jurassic Park III featured Alan Grant, the stronger choice for a lead character, but it was one film too late. The third film gave some the impression that the franchise had spiraled into B-movie territory. Suppose Grant had been the one in the second film and Malcom in number 3. Or better yet, reverse the two films. Make the third film second, and the second film third. Now, the B-movie factor seems mitigated, with Malcolm's Lost World still serving its moral lesson and strengthening the franchise to set up for the next installment.

What about Lex and Tim, the children from the first film? They made cameos in Lost World, relegated to second-class characters. As mentioned before, Nedry's embryo can was a major point in the first film. It simply vanishes as the sequels progress.

The fourth installment has a lot of answering to do. Fans may be forgiving, but only if the film is done right. Universal would be wise to return the first Island, Isla Nublar, find that can of embryos, and unite the team from the first film as much possible. There was also that mention of Pteranadons finding new nesting grounds at the end of III. Are dinosaurs coming to mainland?

There are many questions and possibilities. But the delays need to stop.