Hollywood Reboot #10,293,824,734,530,298 -- Jurassic Park

[Jess Haines]

Is anybody else as frustrated by this (http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/01/17/new-jurassic-park-trilogy/) as I am?

[efkelley]

I think Hollywood just doesn't want to spend money on new stories. Plus, we writers are incredibly expensive. Yeahhh... that's it.

[Chasing the Horizon]

If people would just stop watching the sequels, Hollywood would stop making them.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Dinosaurs are cool. I'd probably go see it.

[BenPanced]

I've never seen the original, so I'm out.

[Kitty Pryde]

If you're facepalm-ing at that, how do you feel about the fact that Fox is going to film an American "Torchwood" pilot, possibly with John Barrowman and possibly not, but either way definitely making it a good 99% less gay?

[maxmordon]

If you're facepalm-ing at that, how do you feel about the fact that Fox is going to film an American "Torchwood" pilot, possibly with John Barrowman and possibly not, but either way definitely making it a good 99% less gay?

So, they are making a live action version of Republican Space Rangers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUXXwVmEWy0), then?

But seriously, a lot of scares about American versions of British series rarely pass the pilot as far as I know, just look at The IT Crowd remake with Joel McHale or the Father Ted remake with Steve Martin, oh wait, you can't!

See, there's hope that there's no hope for them.

[tarcanus]

I love dinosaurs, so I'm definitely there, but I will damn sure facepalm myself, either person sitting next to me, and every person on the way out of the theater if the 'different direction' they're taking the movie is some sort of 'dinosaurs are taking over the world again' motif.

I liked the idea of islands with their own self-sustaining dinosaur populations.

[maxmordon]

About the reboot, hopefully this will lead to a horrendous quagmire of idea cannibalism and movie incest that shall lead to a second Hollywood reborn just like what happened when the studios collapsed on the late 60's.

[tjwriter]

Hollywood's just doing their part for the environment.

You know, recycling.

:e2hammer:

[LOG]

Hollywood's just doing their part for the environment.

You know, recycling.

:e2hammer:
Pffffffffft. XP

I think Hollywood just doesn't want to spend money on new stories. Plus, we writers are incredibly expensive. Yeahhh... that's it.
There goes my epiphany of the day >.>

[DoomBunny]

The Spiderman reboot is even worse. More robot dinosaurs, I can dig it. But redoing a series that's not even a decade old? At least they're ditching Tobey Maguire.

You just watch, they'll be announcing an Avatar reboot next week no doubt. Right before they start proactively rebooting franchises that haven't been invented yet.

[callalily61]

:Headbang:

[dclary]

27 Dracula movies since 1931. You want to tell me this is anything new?

http://www.draculas.info/movies/movies_by_year/



Popular stories get remade more often than unpopular stories. How else to explain 52 Robin Hood movies in the last 70 years?

http://www.lib.rochester.edu/CAMELOT/rh/rhfilms.htm



Rebooting isn't new. It isn't even anything to get worked up about. Rebooting Batman seemed to be pretty successful, didn't it?

[callalily61]

But the Jurassic Parks are, what? 10 years old?

I love Zorro. I loved Zorro the Gay Blade. But I'd love even more a new swashbuckler. Oh, wait, I got one: Pirates of the Caribbean! But then they sequeled it to death.

Dinosaur movie? Great. I'm sure there are a few kick-butt scripts around Hollywood that'd be cool and fun. Film THOSE, Hollywood, please!

[ClaudiaGray]

Jurassic Park is about 20 years old, so it's not out of reach. OTOH, it's a film that people watched and are familiar with; the effects, while no longer state of the art, are strong enough that the movie still stands up; and -- most importantly -- it was by Steven Spielberg and so was extremely good. I think it's probably too early to remake this and have it be a truly blockbuster film experience.

[benbradley]

Hollywood's just doing their part for the environment.

You know, recycling.

:e2hammer:
I know, "Planet of The Dinosaurs."

Hey, there's a new story named Pirate Latitudes, it's in that old-fashioned format called a book. Have they begun the "update" to movie form yet?

Is there anything that guy wrote that was NOT made into a movie or TV show?

[Yeshanu]

Jurassic Park is about 20 years old, so it's not out of reach. OTOH, it's a film that people watched and are familiar with; the effects, while no longer state of the art, are strong enough that the movie still stands up; and -- most importantly -- it was by Steven Spielberg and so was extremely good. I think it's probably too early to remake this and have it be a truly blockbuster film experience.

I don't find it surprising that they're doing remakes of stuff that's 15-20 years old, because the 15-20 year olds who watched that stuff are now in their late thirties and early forties, and they have kids who are now almost the age they were when they first saw the original. But showing the original seems so lame, since digital effects have progressed so much since the eighties, so they reboot the whole series.

It's nothing to complain about. If you don't like the idea of a reboot, go see an original film. They're still making them--The Blind Side, Lovely Bones, District 9, Avatar, to name just a few--and they're doing well.

[BenPanced]

I'm going to "reboot" the novel Gone With The Wind because nobody reads the original any longer.

[Jess Haines]

I think it's probably too early to remake this and have it be a truly blockbuster film experience.

This. This was my main reason for posting it.

Rebooting isn't always a bad thing, but I'm a Crichton fan. I dislike the idea of the franchise being run away with without any input from the person who originally created it (which clearly will never happen now, since Crichton passed away in 2008). Sequels and stuff tend to turn into crapfests when you deviate from the source material, IMHO.

[bettielee]

you know... back in the day, I lied to my family to go out and watch this move again... on my own, in the movie theatre at a 10 pm showing. Sigh.

The last time I went to a movie alone.

However, remakes? Already? More CGI dinos?

[Zoombie]

Ya know, I never liked Jurassic Park.

If you wanna go for Chriton book movies, I'd say Andromeda Strain was the best one. Seriously,the...original, I mean. Not the new one.

[Satori1977]

Things like this make me want to rip my hair out. Jurassic Park is a very well-known and well-loved movie. And it isn't that old. If they are going to insist on making remakes, why not go for much older classics? Maybe movies that the young generation today might not even know? Like Arsenic and Old Lace? One of my faves, and I would be curious how that could be updated. Or Some Like it Hot? Of course, the ones they have done haven't been that good. The Out of Towners, the original was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, the remake, meh. Maybe you really shouldn't mess with something that is already great?? What about taking an old, crappy film and remaking it? Then it has to be better than the original? Or maybe I am just kidding myself.

[SPMiller]

Every now and then, reboots/remakes work. What if Carpenter had never redone The Thing? That said, many of them suck.

[Zoombie]

What about taking an old, crappy film and remaking it? Then it has to be better than the original? Or maybe I am just kidding myself.


I still say that Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy 1 and 2, Pans Labyrinth) should remake Nightbreed.

[katiemac]

They're not reboots. They're sequels. The confusion is they are also referring to the project as a whole new trilogy (hence why some are using the term 'reboot'), but they will not be remakes of the original trilogy.

Think Star Wars episodes IV-VI and episodes I-III.

[CACTUSWENDY]

You know. The sad part is the Book is small in pages. (Don't have it right here...but was a short book.) The Whole story was in it. What they are adding to it now is just milking the gravy train. I was surprised they broke the book down into three stories to start with. And remember...they already have lots of neat props that are just gathering dust in a warehouse some place. I really wish they would not do this....but I bet I will pay to see it because of the dinos. Yeah....I'm a slug that way. With all the other neat stories out there it's too bad they can't use one of them.

[maestrowork]

I always wondered about Jurassic Park 4... as long as they come up with a great story (too bad Crichton is gone), I don't mind another one.

[SPMiller]

The secret to the "feel" of Crichton's work is to always depict science as dangerous, not beneficial. As long as the writers/director keep that in mind, they can't go wrong.

[jvc]

If it has got dinosaurs in it, I'll go and watch it, then buy the dvd and the cuddly toys :D

[efkelley]

I guess it all boils down to investors wanting a guarantee of a reasonable return. 'Reboots' will automatically get a fair amount of attention for the nostalgia factor alone. I suppose Hollywood also goes through phases as well.

[blacbird]

From the linked article, Filmmaker Joe Johnston says:

"Well, there is going to be a 'Jurassic Park IV,'" Johnston said. "And it's going to be unlike anything you've seen.

Well, if that doesn't give ya hope . . .

caw

[Wavy_Blue]

The world needs more dinosaurs, so...

I'm excited.

[maestrowork]

From the linked article, Filmmaker Joe Johnston says:



Well, if that doesn't give ya hope . . .

caw

Unlike anything we've seen? I bet the dinosaurs sparkle!!!

[katiemac]

Unlike anything we've seen? I bet the dinosaurs sparkle!!!

No no no, they're going to go with the Avatar model. First, they're going to get some dinosaurs. Then, they'll CGI over the dinosaurs as they destroy things in front of a green screen...

[maestrowork]

mocap dinos? I'm so there. Can we make them red instead of blue? Blue is so overrated.

[LOG]

I once contemplated writing a story where dinosaurs are resurrected through means identical to Jurassic Park. They would turn out to be intelligent and start a war against humans. The story would have centered on a human who had his brain transplanted into a velociraptor for espianoge.

It came from watching a combination of Jurassic Park, Anonymous Rex, and that one Outer Limits episode where the human teenager accidentally drops a bomb on earth, the aliens in that episode had transformed some of their race to look like humans.

Not sure why I ever scrapped it...

[Albedo]

From the linked article, Filmmaker Joe Johnston says:

"Well, there is going to be a 'Jurassic Park IV,'" Johnston said. "And it's going to be unlike anything you've seen.

Well, if that doesn't give ya hope . . .

caw

As long as it's unlike Joe Johnston's Jurassic Park 3, I'll retain hope. Seriously what the hell was that movie.

More sequels, I can handle. A 'reboot'? No no no no no no no. Jurassic Park is a nigh-perfect both as an effects movie and as a novel adaptation. You could not improve on it.

[Albedo]

and as a novel adaptation. You could not improve on it.

Actually, you could improve on it if you restored the depth of character given both Hammond and Gennaro in the novel that was missing from the movie. Otherwise they nailed the characterisations.

[benbradley]

I always wondered about Jurassic Park 4... as long as they come up with a great story (too bad Crichton is gone), I don't mind another one.
Even if he were alive he likely would have nothing to do with it. He had nothing to do with the third movie (there was no third Jurrasic Park novel, at least not by Crichton), and he only wrote "The Lost World" reluctantly when Spielberg twisted his arm. (reference: Wikipedia)

[jvc]

Even if he were alive he likely would have nothing to do with it. He had nothing to do with the third movie (there was no third Jurrasic Park novel, at least not by Crichton), and he only wrote "The Lost World" reluctantly when Spielberg twisted his arm. (reference: Wikipedia)
And the Lost World novel and movie are pretty different. (Well, a lot different).

[maestrowork]

I liked Lost World (the novel) but was underwhelmed by the movie. I think Crichton did a better job than Spielberg.

[SPMiller]

Maybe they'll depict some of the dinosaurs in a more correct fashion according to the current scientific opinions.

Hmm. Never mind. They almost certainly won't.

[maestrowork]

Maybe they'll depict some of the dinosaurs in a more correct fashion according to the current scientific opinions.

Hmm. Never mind. They almost certainly won't.

Watch Discover channel instead. LOL

[maestrowork]

I know... Dinosaurs in space set in 2154 Planet Jurassic.

[Cyia]

In an alternate universe, dinosaurs' descendants are the dominant species on the planet. A particularly shady businessman with money to burn fronts the cash for an "insanely brilliant" theme park by collecting amber encrusted mosquitoes and extracting the DNA of long extinct creatures with hair and opposable (sp?) thumbs.

The plan goes horribly awry when the reptilian billionaire's freshly hatched grand-eggs are visiting and the darn things learn how to climb a fence. They then use their rapidly increasing intelligence to take over the park, lock all of the dinos in the freezer so they'll die (while hacking a visually interesting computer system), and eat the ice cream.

The military comes to the rescue at the end, but not before a pair of the bipedal beasts is seen backstroking away from the island toward one with a blue lagoon.

Oh, and they fling poo. That's for the adolescent boys in the audience.
:D

[Exir]

I once contemplated writing a story where dinosaurs are resurrected through means identical to Jurassic Park. They would turn out to be intelligent and start a war against humans. The story would have centered on a human who had his brain transplanted into a velociraptor for espianoge.

THAT. IS. AWESOME.

[maestrowork]

Speaking of reboot, they're rebooting Dracula with Sam Worthington.

[blacbird]

I know... Dinosaurs in space set in 2154 Planet Jurassic.

Vampire Zombie Dinosaurs in Space.

caw

[maestrowork]

Vampire Zombie Dinosaurs in Space.

caw

Don't forget Megan Fox running around in a tight tank top.

Ka Ching!

[blacbird]

Don't forget Megan Fox running around in a tight tank top.

Definitely on the movie poster.

caw

[maestrowork]

Definitely on the movie poster.

caw

Thus I want a cut of your profit. I'm already buying a house next to Michael Bay's. So don't disappoint me.

[blacbird]

Thus I want a cut of your profit. I'm already buying a house next to Michael Bay's. So don't disappoint me.

Well . . . I was thinking Kathy Bates.

caw

[Jcomp]

They have to do something to make up for the debacle that was part III.

[maestrowork]

They have to do something to make up for the debacle that was part III.

Casting Tea Lioni again?

[Lhun]

Remaking Jurassic Park? Puh-leeze. Seventeen years is so ancient hardly anyone remebers it anymore.
Heard yet that that there's a Spiderman reboot in the making?

[heyjude]

They're not remaking it, they're doing another in the series.

I, for one, am IN. I love JP, anything about it. First, second, third, books, all of it. I'm a freak for JP. I remember being in the front row for #1 (yes, that many years ago, and suddenly I feel ancient). It was an experience to remember.

[maestrowork]

Jurassic Park vs. Predator

[LOG]

Jurassic Park vs. Predator
Yautja pwn.

[heyjude]

Jurassic Park vs. Predator

I'm in! I'm freaked out, but I'm in!

[Lhun]

They're not remaking it, they're doing another in the series.Nope.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iddf4077045b31afc6088f148eaee3ac2

[Wavy_Blue]

Nope.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iddf4077045b31afc6088f148eaee3ac2

Pretty sure he was talking about Jurassic Park, Lhun. If you're interested, there was a Spiderman Reboot thread on this forum already about a week or so ago.

In fact, here it is: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168148

[heyjude]

Thanks, Wavy_Blue, I was (and I'm actually a girl, just in case you care :D). I almost had a heart attack thinking that they would redo the perfectest film ever.

I hadn't heard about Spiderman. DH will *not* be happy!

[RickN]

Is anybody else as frustrated by this (http://insidemovies.moviefone.com/2010/01/17/new-jurassic-park-trilogy/) as I am?

I'm not. If it's a good movie I'll see it. If not, I won't.

I just don't see any reason to get frustrated over a movie remake. Don't go see it if it makes you unhappy -- your memories and enjoyment of the initial JP remain intact and unchanged.

[BenPanced]

I'm not. If it's a good movie I'll see it. If not, I won't.

I just don't see any reason to get frustrated over a movie remake. Don't go see it if it makes you unhappy -- your memories and enjoyment of the initial JP remain intact and unchanged.
Tell that to the folks in the screen writers forums who are frustrated they can't get a deal on their original ideas.

[RickN]

Tell that to the folks in the screen writers forums who are frustrated they can't get a deal on their original ideas.


I guess I could but my point is about not seeing a movie you don't like. This area is about watching movies, not writing them.

Now, does the screenplay forum have a topic of "Only 123 screenplays get produced a year-- why does a new JP have to be one of them instead of my totally original screenplay?"

[JimmyB27]

Dear Mr Lucas,

I hear that reboots are the in-thing in Hollywood these days. Please could you reboot Star Wars I-III, only this time get a good screenwriter and refrain from including that bloody irritating amphibian thing. You know who I mean.

Yours sincerely,
Jimmy.