Dinosaurs are back in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – now that’s roar-ly exciting news!
It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since we first entered Jurassic Park. Back then, the special effects were a little less special, yet the magic was the same. After three movies, the franchise halted following Jurassic Park 3 in 2001.
Then in 2015, the dinosaurs roared to life once more in the hugely successful Jurassic World. The film made more than US$1.6 billion worldwide at the box office.
The dinosaur whisperer returns!
Now, in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, can Chris Pratt – who plays dinosaur researcher Owen Grady – and his dino-buddies do it again?
The latest instalment picks up three years after Jurassic World, when a volcano threatens the surviving dinosaurs.
Here, Chris, 38, tells TV WEEK about his character’s dangerous rescue mission – and his own dangerous parenting.
So you’re headed back to Jurassic World! Why does Owen join the rescue mission?
My character still has a lesson to learn. He starts the movie with the idea that no-one can ever shake their demons – you can just choose to live with them. So for him, that means he’s still running from something. But [ex-Jurassic World operations manager] Claire [Bryce Dallas Howard] is determined to face her guilt and try to do something to make it better. So Owen decides to help out.
From left: Claire, Owen and young Maisie (Isabella Sermon).
Steven Spielberg returns as executive producer. How crucial is he?
I recall the first time I saw Jurassic Park – I was 13. Steven is the king of suspense; he knows how to draw out a suspenseful moment. It’s like in Jaws [the 1975 thriller Steven directed] – you don’t get to see the shark that much. But that’s his genius – it’s not what you see, it’s what you don’t see. I showed my son Jack Jaws recently. I shouldn’t have done that!
Will Jack see this movie?
Absolutely, even though he’s only five. I’m a terrible father! [Laughs] I do feel I’ve been able to do roles that are really fun for kids his age. He’s not that impressed, though. He’s come to every film set, so he knows we’re just playing pretend and dressing up. I think he’s now on the other side of the curtain he’s not impressed by it, unfortunately.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is in cinemas June 21st.
