Jurassic World Avoided City Chaos for This Surprising Michael Crichton Reason
Over the years, I (and perhaps fellow fans of Jurassic World) have often pondered why the Jurassic Universe failed to fully exploit dinosaurs wreaking havoc in bustling cities. While we’ve caught glimpses of raptors in suburban homes or T-Rexes scanning helicopters over San Francisco, for the most part, the series has confined its turmoil to jungles, islands, and secluded labs. Now, just before the release of Jurassic World Rebirth, we finally understand the reason behind this, which is linked to the creator of the franchise, Michael Crichton.
As the one who penned and guided three Jurassic World movies, including directing two of them, I recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter. In our conversation, I revealed that my approach to city-based dinosaur action wasn’t driven by budget or grandiosity, but rather it was a creative choice rooted in Michael Crichton’s original concept for the series. Simply put, I aimed to stay true to the vision he had for this extraordinary franchise.
In my approach, I consistently treated dinosaurs as if they were modern-day animals. For instance, if a tiger escapes in a city, they’re quickly captured. This led me to wonder why these wild beasts would approach a city at all. Through various lines of reasoning, we found plausible explanations for such behavior.
The director’s approach to portraying dinosaurs, viewing them as unpredictable, instinctual beings rather than typical movie monsters, significantly influenced the boundaries he set for his storyline in “The Book of Henry.” As they delved into ways for dinosaurs to coexist with human civilization, such as in “Jurassic World Dominion” and the Netflix-streamed animated series “Chaos Theory,” there were always certain constraints. These limitations were largely based on maintaining a consistent tone. Trevorrow further explained:
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The director’s strategy for depicting dinosaurs as unpredictable, instinctual creatures rather than stereotypical movie monsters shaped the boundaries he established in “The Book of Henry.” While they brainstormed possibilities for dinosaurs to live alongside human civilization, including in “Jurassic World Dominion” and the Netflix-streamed animated series “Chaos Theory,” there was always a boundary. This boundary was primarily defined by the tone. Trevorrow clarified:
I’ve always felt that depicting dinosaurs roaming urban streets strays somewhat from Michael Crichton’s original concept. However, we’ve found creative ways to integrate these creatures into our world, not only in films but also in animated series. The latest one, Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, does a particularly good job at this integration.
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I find it fascinating how films like “Dominion” balance the line between orchestrated cinematic spectacle and raw, chaotic monster action. In this film, where dinosaurs roam freely across the planet, the narrative still focuses on rural landscapes and secluded locales. This choice reflects Michael Crichton’s unique blend of science and ethics in his world-building, where the central conflict isn’t merely about surviving nature’s wrath, but rather humanity’s struggle to control it.
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In the upcoming movie “Jurassic World Rebirth”, it’s said that the action takes place on a more traditional island instead of involving widespread urban destruction as seen in previous installments. The film is also rumored to reintroduce elements and ideas from Michael Crichton’s original “Jurassic Park” novel, such as the eagerly anticipated raft sequence, which was previously omitted from earlier films.
Nevertheless, it’s evident that Trevorrow takes great pride in the foundational work he and his team have established for the franchise’s future expansion, encompassing movies, TV series, merchandise, and theme parks. The director expressed this sentiment himself by saying:
We’ve constructed something robust enough to progress, and I take great pride in it… Moreover, I believe that with each new birth, a fresh admirer of dinosaurs emerges. Consequently, I don’t anticipate the fascination with observing dinosaurs fading away anytime soon.
In the ongoing evolution of the Jurassic series, it’s unlikely that a sudden shift into giant monster (kaiju) territory will occur any time soon. Colin Trevorrow, who works on the franchise, believes its key strength lies in maintaining a sense of realism, even when dealing with subjects that tower at 40 feet and sport rows of teeth.
In summer 2025, catch the latest Jurassic World sequel, titled “Jurassic World Rebirth,” in cinemas on July 2nd. To get ready for this new adventure, consider subscribing to Peacock and streaming all six of its prequels.
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2025-06-23 15:08