Jurassic World Dominion wraps up the most recent trilogy of dinosaur films, but it also harkens back to the original Jurassic Park franchise by bringing the back back together, The film, which releases in theaters on June 10, was written and directed by franchise mainstay Colin Trevorrow, who first charmed audiences with 2012’s indie darling Safety Not Guaranteed.
Not only will Jurassic World Dominion see the return of Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, along with the other fan favorites who have been introduced in the last two films, but the legendary cast members from the original trilogy are all returning for a questionably final farewell as well. While Jeff Goldblum appeared for a bit in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom as Ian Malcolm, Dominion will be the first time in a while we’ve seen Sam Neill as Alan Grant and Laura Dern as Ellie Sattler.
Screen Rant had the pleasure of speaking to Dern, who shared her feelings and memories at being reunited with her costars, revealed how Ellie has evolved beyond simply her career path, and declared what she herself would do in the face of a dinosaur.
Screen Rant: [Sings] “Laura Dern…” Ever since I saw Daisy Ridley do that in an interview, every time I have to sing your name.
Laura Dern: By the way, what was hilarious too was it took me a second to understand that it was the theme of Jurassic Park. She was like, “Laura! It’s Jurassic Park.”
It is such a moment seeing these two generations come together to celebrate the legacy of Jurassic Park. Coming together with the trio again, was there a story or memory that resurfaced as a result of seeing everybody again?
Laura Dern: I mean, so many. Honestly, so many memories from the film; from the making of the film. We went through a level five hurricane together – it was a very traumatic and bonding experience on the first film.
And here we were again, to all come together in Colin’s longing to have it really feel like a team and really feel like a family. We would start, and only days later, we would all go into lockdown because of the pandemic. This group of actors and our director and producer moved in together for five months, and it became the most fiercely protective team unit you could ever imagine.
For all the challenge and all the fear of that, and of this uncertain time in our lives, I couldn’t feel closer to an amazing group of people. We really had each other’s back in myriad ways; the entire crew who worked so diligently to create a safety protocol for our industry, as we all attempted to get back to work. I’m amazed by all of them, and only lucky to stand with them. If you have to face Giganotosaurus, this is the group you want.
I feel like the Elie Sattler style is so iconic, and it’s coming back around in a big way. I constantly wear oversized button downs tied around my waist.
Laura Dern: It’s back. It’s back.
And by the way, people are like, “How was the character evolved?” But I’m glad you brought up the fashion, because she’s evolved from paleontology and focusing on our former extinction to how to prevent another by being a soil scientist focused on climate change. That’s the perfect evolution we’d want from Dr. Ellie Sattler, so she has to be sustainably dressed. So, now my oversized shirt is sustainable bamboo and vegan sneakers. And maybe mycelium mushroom in my shirt and all organic cotton pants.
She’s very focused on her fashion as well. I just want to throw that out.
We know how Owen Grady calms down a dinosaur; he has his ways of doing it. How would Laura Dern calm down a dinosaur? Jeff Goldblum told me he would sing to them. What would Laura Dern do?
Laura Dern: I’d run. I don’t need to calm them down; I ain’t gonna be there long enough. I’ve worked with these guys before. Do not trust it. I don’t know what Chris Pratt’s character is thinking.
And it was perfect, because Alan Grant and I both are a bit mistrusting of his ways of being a raptor trainer from our storyline. I remember when we first came in contact with him in the movie, our characters are like, “You train raptors? …Okay. We’re not going to trust them. We’re just going to go about our way.”
Yeah, I think Laura Dern’s learned enough from these movie experiences to just get out of dodge.
Thank you so much. Such an honor to talk to you.
Laura Dern: Will you sing to me one more time?
[Sings] “Laura Dern… Laura Dern…!”
Jurassic World Dominion Synopsis
The future of mankind hangs in the balance as humans and dinosaurs coexist following the destruction of Isla Nublar.
Check out our interview with Jurassic World Dominion stars Chris Pratt & Bryce Dallas Howard, Mamoudou Athie, Isabella Sermon, DeWanda Wise, and Jeff Goldblum, as well as director Colin Trevorrow.
Key Release Dates
Jurassic World Dominion
Release Date:2022-06-10
