JURASSIC PARK 3 NEWS AND INFORMATION

The news and info below is ordered from newest to oldest

* ED VARREAUX TALKS 'JPIII' PRODUCTION DESIGN From 2/3/2001:

Recently, Universal's Horror Online web site,www.horrornoline.com, posted an interview with 'Jurassic Park III' production designer Ed Verreaux. Verreaux, who worked on the first 'Jurassic Park', found his job a lot easier as he was working with people who were also veterans of the original film. "That's been a real help to me", he says, "A lot of this stuff is stuff, it's like 'We've already done this, we know what this set looks like'. The thing is, we did try and make this look different from I and II. Hopefully, we were able to succeed".

It has been a monster of a job for Verreaux, who only had eight weeks of prep time before construction on the massive sets began. "You always have hesitence, but you always go ahead and do it anyway", he laughs.

Verreaux touched on some of the top-secret plot for the third Spielberg produced dino-fest, "Our band of survivors have been traipsing across the island and they come across another Ingen compund", he reveals. "And what they find is that the Ingen people have been breeding dinosaurs in a big laboratory". The production designer also mentioned an exciting sequence in which Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and company play a dangerous game of hide and seek with a pack of velociraptors in an elaborate iron-wrought set.

"I think it's going to be a little bit darker, a little bit more moody", Verreaux muses of the film, "Shelly Johnson, the DP, has just really done a great job at photographing the film".

* SAM NEILL REFLECTS ON HIS DINO EXPERIENCE From 1/29/2000:

On Saturday, www.nydailynews.com released an article on the Sundance Film Festival at Park City in Utah. The article contained a small section on 'Jurassic Park III'. The Steven Spielberg produced film apparently wrapped principal photography the day before Neill flew to the Sundance Festival. The veteran actor appeared to be missing the dinosaurs in the movie already. "They're so lifelike, I became curiously fond of them", Neill says of Stan Winstons incredible creations, "there was one little female velociraptor who had a cute haircut, but it was never anything more than holding hands...holding claws".

* FIRST 'JPIII' PIC FINALLY ARRIVES ! From 1/11/2001:

Now floating around the internet is the first promotional picture of 'Jurassic Park III'. The pic features (from left) Michael Jeter, Alessandro Nivola, Tea Leoni, Sam Neill and William H. Macy gaping in terror at a spinosaur after their plane lands on Isla Sorna. To view a larger version, visit Darkhorizons.com

Bonus News ! As if that pic wasn't enough to whet your appetite for the up-coming Steven Spielberg produced monster movie, the French website 'Canalplus.fr' recently visited the set of 'Jurassic III' and chatted with the likes of Sam Neill, Stan Winston, Tea Leoni and more ! Tons of interesting stuff was revealed, such as the velociraptor's new look, the return of the compys, and more spinosaur mayhem. To discover these goodies and much more for yourself, watch the RealVideo streaming right here.

* 'JURASSIC PARK III' TO ROAR INTO 2001 SUPERBOWL ? From 10/1/2001:

According to a recent USA Today article detailing the companies who grabbed advertising spots during this year's upcoming Superbowl, Universal has aquired about 30 seconds of airtime to promote whatever they wish. The big question is...what will they choose to give the valuable spot to ? Many believe Universal will use the airtime to play a 'Jurassic Park III' trailer. In 1997, at the Superbowl, they launched a teaser for 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park', and it is likely they will do the same for 'Jurassic III', which is one of the biggest films to be released this year.

As usual, time will tell. However, the January 28 Superbowl could very well show the very first trailer for 'Jurassic Park III', which would make the event very special indeed.

* TEA LEONI HAVING FUN RUNNING FROM DINOSAURS From 12/23/2000 :

'Jurassic Park III' star Tea Leoni recently spoke to the 'Sun Times' about family life. During the interview she made some comments about the up-coming 'JPIII', describing the Steven Spielberg produced dino-fest as "one of the most fun projects ever". Leoni is in awe of the incredible prehistoric creatures that surround her during filming, as she says, "When you see the evolution of the animatronics and computer graphics, it's so impressive to see where it's come from in the last seven years". Although working on the movie is a real buzz for Tea, the popular actress really gets a kick out of watching the finished product, "Sometimes the most fun is watching the playback and watching us dodge and scream in terror from things that aren't there".

To read the entire 'Sun Times' article, click here.

* GOLDBLUM EXCITED ABOUT 'JURASSIC PARK III'! From 12/21/2000 :

Jeff Goldblum, star of 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park', is really looking forward to seeing the up-coming third installment of the dino franchise next summer. While having a recent chat with 'Empire Online', the popular actor confirmed that his Dr. Ian Malcolm character from the past two films has no appearance in the new movie. "I like big adventure and comedy roles, I like both. But I am not involved in the next Jurassic Park, that is official". However, Goldblum is very enthusiastic about the release of 'JPIII', saying, "I can't wait to see it- as an audience member- I can't wait".

* WILLIAM H. MACY COMMENTS ON 'JPIII' PRODUCTION From 12/21/2000 :

'Jurassic Park III', although it is the blockbuster event film of next summer, has been racked by numerous production hassles, reveals one of it's stars William H. Macy. "There have been all the problems that one thinks of ", the Oscar nominated actor says while talking to 'TV Guide Online'. "The script has been evolving and being rewritten as we go, and what you want to say is 'Who launched a $100 million ship without a rudder' ". Macy says it's not because 'JPIII' has an inept crew, as he comments all big-budget effects movies are the same, "But that's the way it goes", he says,"that's the way they make these movies...big deal".

The slowness of filming on the Steven Spielberg produced dino-epic takes it's toll on Macy too, as so much effort has to be focused on the special effects. He says they are shooting roughly a quarter of a page of script per day.

"We make all these jokes about it, that we're acting like puppets and that it's all computer and that sooner or later they're going to replace even us with computers", Macy says of his co-stars on the film.

However, despite all the production difficulties associated with doing such a large scale movie, Macy is very impressed with how the actual film is turning out, and has nothing but high praise for it. "So we get all cynical about it, and then there will be a moment that will bring all of us to our knees and it suddenly turns into a Frank Capra moment, where we all literally can't sit still. We're so childishly delighted with the magic that just happened".

At the end of the interview, Macy once again re-iterates his confidence in how the finished product will turn out, despite all the production difficulties. "Hollywood is corrupt- there's no question about it", he says, "but every once in a while it turns out these movies that are just pure joy".

* JURASSIC PARK III "ROCKS", SAYS WILLIAM H. MACY From 12/15/2000 :

While recently talking to 'iFMagazine', 'JPIII' star William H. Macy made some comments about next summer's Spielberg dino epic. "I am running from dinosaurs. Action, action. It's very intense." The veteran actor seemed very positive about how the film is coming together. "We've seen about 45 minutes of cut footage, and it rocks", Macy enthused,"Joe Johnston is directing it. It is intense and tight. So much so that they might put some air in it just to make it palatable for the younger kids." Macy indicates that 'JPIII' will not be a basic rehash of the previous films, "there is some new dinosaurs," he teases, "and I am not allowed to tell you, or a spinosaurus will have to come kill you".

Thanks to Cinescape Website.

* JOHN WILLIAMS ASSIGNS 'JPIII' A COMPOSER From 12/13/2000 :

Due to a monstrously over-crowded schedule, (A.I., Star Wars 2, Harry Potter, to name a few...) John Williams will not be scoring the up-coming 'Jurassic Park III'. However, this has not dampened Williams' enthusiasm for the project, as he personally recommended that Universal sign composer Don Davis (The Matrix) to the new flick. Taking the advice of the film music legend, Universal have since snapped up Davis to fill Williams' shoes on 'JPIII'. Williams has also made the sketches for the scores of the first two 'Jurassic' movies available for Davis to utilise, as Davis plans to use Williams' original themes extensively. For a press release on the subject, available from 'John Williams Central' Website, click here.

* SAM NEILL SEES LOTS OF ACTION ON 'JPIII' SET ! From 12/11/2000 :

On Friday, Australian newspaper The Age released an interview with 'Jurassic Park' star Sam Neill, who reprises his much-loved role of Dr. Alan Grant in the up-coming third dino-mite movie. Neill is currently in Los Angeles where filming on the new flick is in high gear. "At the moment we're dealing with pteranodons", the critically acclaimed actor reveals. Neill tried to give readers an insight into the story, while not really giving anything away, "Of course our lives are in danger from the moment the plane crashes, up until when some of us survive. Of course, some of those people will be eaten - that's a given", he says.

So what is bigger and better about the second 'Jurassic' sequel ? Dinosaurs of course ! "We've got dinosaurs you haven't seen before," Neill states enthusiastically, "and it's pretty much action from the beginning. There's a lot of running in terror. I'm pretty fit at the moment". To read the entire article, click here.

* NIVOLA, MACY, AND LEONI TALK 'JPIII' ! From 11/24/2000 :

USA Today released an article outlining some tantalising details on the third 'Jurassic' film. The new dinosaur on the 'JPIII' logo is conformed as a Spinosaurus: a 44 foot long, 26,000 pound monster which promises to deliver a whole new meaning to the word 'terrifying'. The Spinosaurus is larger than a Tyrannosaur, and we can expect to see a battle between the two creatures in the new movie. The Spino is also going to reportedly crush an airplane on it's path of destruction. Three of the principal stars of 'JPIII', Alessandro Nivola, William H. Macy and Tea Leoni also gave their thoughts on the project. Nivola commented: "We're all the supporting cast to the Spinosaurus. I run through the jungle a lot and use every means possible to escape the clutches of the monster". William H. Macy seemed really hyped about the film, as he enthused: "This is the biggest movie I've ever done, and I had trepidation doing the third of a franchise", but then Macy viewed some prelimenary footage of the movie and was "astounded. It's going to be relentless. You're going to have to step outside to catch your breath". Tea Leoni, who plays Macy's on-screen wife, has a fear of heights, and had to be suspended from a plane about 18 feet off the ground. Still, Leoni was able to look at the lighter side of filming: "I'm surrounded by a bunch of boys. I'm having the most fun I've ever had". Noting the prominence of Stan Winston's creatures in the movie, Leoni jokingly states: "If this does not do well, it will be the dinosaur's fault. They can't pin this one on me". For the entire article, visit our Articles page.

* TEA LEONI COMMENTS ON 'JURASSIC PARK III' From 11/16/2000 :

In this week's Entertainment Weekly, 'JPIII' star Tea Leoni was interviewed. During the interview, she made some comments regarding the eagerly anticipated film :

Leoni : I was thinking that I'd love to see a couple of these Jurassic Park chase scenes (scored) to the Partridge Family's "I Woke Up in Love This Morning".

EW : So it's an all-they-need-is-love kind of thing ?

Leoni : Yeah ! It's just a big misunderstanding. They woke up in love, and with their size and sexuality they have problems expressing it.

EW : Your executive producer Steven Spielberg will be fascinated to hear this.

Leoni : (Laughs) Look, these are my lines today (flips through script). Well, umm, I don't have any.

EW : None ?

Leoni : Well, there's running and screaming. But no lines.

EW : So what do you actually see while you're screaming ? Hand puppets ?

Leoni : Occasionally a big hairy grip holding on to a something-asaur or a whatever-adon...

Leoni : I was really concerned about having blood on my face in front of (my baby) for Jurassic Park. Then we figured it out. We told her (these wounds) were fake "owies" and that they don't hurt. Then we gave her one and boom ! she became a "fake-owie" addict.

EW : For your next film, it was reported that you might be working with Jonathan Demme..

Leoni : I'm not allowed to say. There's more secrecy around that than JP3. But I'll tell you one thing. There are no dinosaurs.

* TWO NEW CAST MEMBERS FOR 'JPIII' ! From 10/28/2000:

Two more actors have been named recently as having joined the ever-growing cast of the Steven Spielberg production of 'Jurassic Park III' directed by Joe Johnston. The first is Sarah Danielle Madison. This young newcomer is probably best known for her role opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt in the FOX series 'Time Of Your Life'. The second is Taylor Nichols ( 'The Last Days Of Disco'. ) Both performers should be able to positively contribute to what is already an incredibly talented cast.

* 'JURASSIC PARK III' FILMS SCENE AT OCCIDENTAL CAMPUS From 10/28/2000:

With principal photography having wrapped in Hawaii recently, the 'JPIII' cast and crew came to the Occidental University Campus to film a scene where Alan Grant (Sam Neill) gives a paleontological lecture to students. The team arrived on October 10 to commence on what turned out to be a very smooth period of filming. Carolyn Tomlin, Director of Conference Services and Campus Filming, commented that the Univeral staff were very professional. The lecture scene will appear early in the film, presumably re-introducing audiences to the Grant character. For more, click here.

* NEILL AND DERN RE-UNITED FOR 'JPIII' ! From 10/28/2000:

The currently in-production 'Jurassic Park III' has gained another cast member. Familiar face Laura Dern will be re-united with Sam Neill, as she has signed on for a return to the Ellie Sattler role in 'JPIII'. It is unknown as to the size of Dern's role. Most expect it to be similar to Richard Attenborough's appearance for 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park'.

* TEA LEONI TO STAR OPPOSITE SAM NEILL IN 'JPIII' From 8/10/2000:

The cast for the third Jurassic Park epic continues to expand with the word that actress Tea Leoni ('Bad Boys', 'Deep Impact') is in the final stages of becoming a part of the Universal film. The Hollywood Reporter announced also mentioned that child actor Trevor Morgan has already signed on to join William H. Macy, Alessandro Nivola and Sam Neill in running from dinos.

According to the Reporter principal photography will begin later this month in Hawaii, where much of the first 'Jurassic Park' was filmed. As for the storyline...Universal is keeping it all a closely guarded secret. For the entire Hollywood Reprter article, click here.

* ANOTHER 'JP3' CAST MEMBER ?, Plus Sreenwriter news ! From 7/27/2000: On Thursday, Variety released an article which delivers further news and speculation on the up-coming 'Jurassic Park III'. The article stated that a significant number of sources had reported that actor William H. Macy (pictured left) had been offered a role in the Spielberg produced threequel. The 'Fargo' star apparently turned down the part initially because he already had a crowded schedule. The 'JPIII' team have allegedly delayed filming by a month so that Macy can participate. Still, Macy is being cautious, not committing until he has seen 'Jurassic's' final screenplay.

The article also revealed some interesting developments with the script. Reportedly, Universal Studios confirmed that scribes Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor (of 'Election' fame) have been tapped to give the 'JPIII' screenplay a "polish".

To read the entire Variety article, click here.

* SAM NEILL OFFICIALLY SIGNS FOR 'JURASSIC PARK III' ! From 6/29/2000 : After weeks of rampant speculation, a number of sources including Variety and Hollywood Reporter have put all controversy to rest by stating that Sam Neill has signed on for the third installment of the 'Jurassic Park' franchise, reprising his role as the Paleontologist Alan Grant from 1993's 'Jurassic Park'. Neill is the first official cast member to be announced for the eagerly anticipated FX extravaganza of summer 2001. It was also mentioned that actor Alessandro Nivola (Face/Off) is in negotiations with Universal to join the production. For more, click here.

* JEFF GOLDBLUM FOR 'JP3' ? From 6/23/2000 : Hot on the heels of the reports that Sam Neill is currently in negotiations to star in the third Jurassic Park film, comes the news that another old favorite is on his way back. Universal have apparently contacted actor Jeff Goldblum about a possible return of the Ian Malcolm character in 'Jurassic Park III'. The report is from a supposed reliable source who gave the info to the 'Film force' IGN website. They also state that filming for the third dino epic is roughly scheduled for the end of July on the island of Kaui, Hawaii. For the whole IGN story, click here.

* SAM NEILL TO MAKE 'PARK' RETURN ? From 6/21/2000 : Dr. Alan Grant, the intrepid Paleontologist from the original 'Jurassic Park', may do battle with Steven Spielberg's dinosaurs once again, with the hot news that Sam Neill is reportedly in talks with Universal to reprise his Dr. Grant character in the up-coming 'Jurassic Park III'. The Hollywood Reporter says that production for the third dino outing will begin sometime this summer, and that Joe Johnston and the folks at Universal are keeping everything on the story top secret. If Neill does end up returning for 'JP3', it is very exciting news indeed. However, it is not official yet. For more info, visit Cinescape.

* 'JURASSIC PARK III ' From 6/17/2000 : The latest thing floating around the net is this! (pictured left), it is apparently an official 'Jurassic Park III ' logo. Reportedly it was sent directly from the New York Licensing Show. Personally, I think the T-Rex looks better. However, there has been no official word on this logo. It may even only be something prelimenary, OR something Hasbro have cooked up for one of their toylines. The full story is not clear yet. More on this as it comes to hand.

* JP3 MERCHANDISE From 6/14/2000 : Interesting news from the Licensing Show in New York ! In a Variety article, it is reported that "Universal said it will use a trio of creative themes for licensees and promo partners: Jurassic Park Authentic with factual information on dinosaurs, Re-Ak Attack, focusing on dinosaur v.s. dinosaur action, and Site C, focusing on the film's location on a Costa Rican island ". Could this be true ? Will 'JP3' indeed be centered around a Site C island ? Stay tuned for more on this as soon as it comes to hand. To read the entire article, click here.

* JP AND LW ON DVD ! From 6/14/2000 : Ground-breaking news directly from an OFFICIAL press release from Universal Studios Home Video ! On June 13, Universal announced that 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World' will be released on DVD on October 10, 2000. Apparently the JP/LW release on DVD has been specially timed to gather excitement for the up-coming 'Jurassic Park 3'. The DVD Collector's Editions of 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World' will offer consumers a home video industry first : An opportunity to participate in a 'live on-location' webcast and chat with cast and crew members on the set of JP3 via an exclusive link accessed through the DVD-ROM features of the discs. If that weren't thrilling enough, the JP/LW DVDs will also feature a 'live' webcast and chat with the special effects team at Industrial Light and Magic, Special sneak previews and trailers from 'JP3', and a 'live' webcast of the theatrical world premiere of 'Jurassic Park 3' ! This is astonishing stuff ! For more on the JP/LW DVD releases, visit our 'Basic facts on the JP films, and news' section by clicking here ! Or, to read the entire press release, click here.

* STAN WINSTON OFFICIAL FOR 'JP3' ! From 6/13/2000 : We can now add two more crew members to the 'Jurassic Park 3' list, and both are veterans of 'JP' and 'LW' ! In the Universal official press release announcing the release of 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World' on DVD, it was also stated that "Oscar winners Stan Winston and the visual effects team at Industrial Light and Magic, who collaborated on 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World', will once again be creating a spectacular range of dinosaurs". It was also mentioned that Kathleen Kennedy, a veteran of JP and LW, and frequent Spielberg collaborator, will be producing 'Jurassic Park 3'.

* OFFICIAL JURASSIC PARK MEGASITE IS COMING ! From 6/13/2000 : In the official Universal press release announcing the release of 'Jurassic Park' and 'Lost World' on DVD, it was also mentioned Jurassic Park will soon have an official megasite at the address www.jurassicpark.com. The up-coming online extravaganza will provide fans with the ultimate JP experience ! Registered users will be able to access the official Jurassic Park fanclub, auctions, cast info, updates and sneak peeks from the 'JP3' set, schedules of webcasts and chats, customised e-mail, greeting cards, a calender of events, audio and video clips, never-before-seen-footage, outtakes from 'JP' and 'LW', and archived interview footage. According to the press release, a specially designed Jurassic Park browser will also be downloadable from JurassicPark.com. This is huge news, and we will have more as soon as it becomes available. Business is certainly picking up in the JP world !

* SPIELBERG ON THE HUNT FOR JP3 CAST From 6/13/2000 : Recently USA Today reported that Steven Spielberg and Universal have sent out rough outlines of the type of characters to be in the new 'Jurassic Park 3' film to casting agents. Spielberg's spokesman, Martin Levy,said "When you have specific or even vague ideas for what you want for specific characters, you send out some kind of descriptions." Levy was sure to stress that no casting choices have been made yet.The article once again confirmed Spielberg as the film's producer, and Joe Johnston as director. It was also stated that Universal and Spielberg are officially aiming for a July 2001 release date. To read the entire article, click here.

* JP3 MERCHANDISE TO BE UNVEILED ! From 6/13/2000 : On Sunday, Variety printed a story on the up-coming Licensing Show in Gotham on Tuesday. Among hot properties like 'Charlie's Angels' and 'Spider-Man', the article revealed 'Jurassic Park 3' merchandise from Universal would be unveiled at the extravaganza. Could Spielberg and co. top the merchandising blitz of 'Jurassic Park' and 'The Lost World' ? We'll soon see. To read the entire article, click here.

* From 2/19/2000 : In an official press release, Hasbro toy company stated they are looking forward to producing a series of action figures based on the up-coming 'Jurassic Park' movie. Hasbro also produced the figures for the original 'Jurassic Park' and sequel 'The Lost World'. To read the entire article click here.

* From 2/8/2000 : It is being reported that a Canadian film magazine by the name of Scope stated that John Williams ( pictured left with Spielberg )had decided to pass on scoring 'Jurassic Park 3' due to a crowded schedule. The mag then apparently said sources close to director Joe Johnston believe James Horner will score Spielberg's third dino outing instead. This news is not, at the moment, solid fact and shouldn't be taken too seriously.

* From 1/18/2000 : JP3 director Joe Johnston has spoken out recently about the some stats regarding the third dino film. Johnston said " The plot of the movie is based on an idea by Steven ", the director then went on to say, " Since our collaboration with the 'Indiana Jones' trilogy we have talked about a joined project. We want to create a feeling of something exceptional, a sort of returning to the first film." Fans of Sam Neill's Alan Grant character may have some hope of seeing him in this new film as Johnston said " Maybe there will be two characters that we already know from the two first ones." Johnston revealed some of his creative plans for JP3 when he noted " I see a lot of flying reptiles."

* In November '99 Michael Crichton did a CNN Online interview. During the interview Michael made some interesting comments regarding the top-secret 'Jurassic Park 3'. Here are the quotes from the transcript which regard JP3 : Question : Will there be a prequel to Jurassic Park ?

Michael : No. There will be a sequel

Question : Do you think that you will create a book continuing the story of Jurassic Park , or is the next story going straight into the theatres, as I have read ?

Michael : Straight to theaters. The screenplay is being written now.

There you have it, folks. Straight from the horses' mouth, so to speak ! If you would like to read the entire transcript with Michael Crichton, the creator of 'Jurassic Park', please click this direct link.


More up to date info will be posted as soon as it is released !

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