Jurassic World Dominion: Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Bryce Dallas Howard on the original stars’ return for final film in franchise’s latest era | Ents & Arts News

Almost 30 years after audiences first caught a glimpse of Jurassic Park, original cast members have at last returned for the final film in this era of the franchise.

Among them is Oscar-winner Laura Dern, whose character Dr Ellie Satler is beloved as something of a feminist action hero.

“The fact that the character took on sort of a larger than life quality in terms of influence for a lot of young girls particularly, and boys as well, in the years since the movie came out has been so inspiring to me,” she told Sky News.

“A congresswoman now in US Congress [said] to me: ‘You know, Ellie Sattler was my feminist hero and when I heard her say women inherit the Earth, I was like, I’m going to study poli-sci [political science], I’m going to go to Washington, DC.’

“It’s just incredible that the film, Steven’s [Spielberg] work, and getting to be a part of that could impact people like that.”

It’s not just the characters who have inspired – for the newer cast members, it was a treat to share the screen with the old guard.

“They’re also at the absolute top of their game as actors,” said Bryce Dallas Howard, who returns as former park manager Claire Dearing. “They’re at their peaks, and I think that’s something that as an actor, it was such a gift to be able to witness that.

“It was so inspiring to see that because it wasn’t like they were just coming in and saying the lines, they were taking full ownership of these characters.”

Jurassic World Dominion is the third film in the Jurassic World trilogy, starring Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt, which started in 2015 – following the original Jurassic Park trilogy that began with Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum in 1993.

It was largely shot in the UK, and was one of the first productions to get up and running again after the first lockdown.

A hotel was hired for the cast and crew to live in as a bubble, an experience which Goldblum says will stay with him.

“It’s a disturbing, upsetting, tragic period – and for us, one of opportunity and mixed feeling, you can imagine. But with the opportunity to be together and protected by the new protocols that were being pioneered by Alexandra Derbyshire, one of our British producers, and Pat Crowley, it was great, but harrowing and bonding and unforgettable.”

Indeed, Goldblum credits the teams here for getting the film to the big screen at all, and says he’s keen to live here at some point.

“This was essentially a British show, and thanks to them, we got through it. Thanks to their heroism and intrepid endurance.

“I’ve had a great time here – I love England and would like to move here for a time in fact.”

The latest blockbuster to roar back in to cinemas this summer, the film is billed as being the last Jurassic Park for now – but if it draws big box office numbers, it’s unlikely this franchise will stay extinct for long.

Jurassic Park Dominion is out now in cinemas in the UK