Jurassic World: Dominion star Jeff Goldblum has revealed that there are post-production changes afoot for the movie’s plot which are being deliberately designed to make it more meaningful in a post-pandemic era.
Goldblum, who has reprised his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm for the upcoming dino sequel alongside Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neill and Laura Dern, says that his Jurassic Park mathematician has always been vocal about the kind of scientific outlook and philosophy that has become a focus for many people during the events of 2020.
“There are things that my character talks about, has always talked a little bit about, the fragility of our species and the global cooperation that’s needed and the foundation and science that is needed,” explained Goldblum on EW’s video series, Couch Surfing. “Oh, and the ethical use of science that’s needed to unite us in trust and connectedness as a family. To reach our potential and do right by ourselves and this glorious planet – all of that. So all of those things are now as you can imagine more relevant than ever.”
The 68-year-old star of Earth Girls Are Easy, Transylvania 6-5000 and Vibes* went on to confirm that the new action-adventure film is still evolving behind the scenes, as the pandemic’s ripple effect alters some of stories the entertainment industry will now choose to tell.
“In many aspects of [Jurassic World: Dominion‘s] plot, there are other things we’re kind of finding that are kind of apropos, but there are some sensitive things they are tweaking and adjusting to make it right for now, and contributive and nourishing for right now.”
Jurassic World: Dominion was the first major studio movie to go back into production during the summer after the industry shutdown, and director Colin Trevorrow has previously said that shooting the rest of the film was a very unique experience for everyone involved, with around 40,000 COVID-19 tests on the cast and crew carried out at Pinewood Studios.
“We lived together, ate together, told stories, shared our fears and hopes, played Frisbee on the lawn… there was a lot of laughter at a time when it has been hard to find things to laugh about,” Trevorrow told Deadline. “We were all far from those we loved at a time when you want to be closest to them. I missed my family greatly. I was away from them for four months. But the cast in our bubble became another family.”
Despite the tough conditions on Jurassic World: Dominion, Trevorrow thinks the way they ended up approaching the challenges involved in finishing it will change the way he will work on other projects.
“I’ve never been as immersed in a filmmaking process,” he said. “Because of the protocols, the actors didn’t go far from set. The distance was stripped away. There were things that happened on this movie that I’d hope to be able to continue on future productions.”
Trevorrow also noted that Dominion will likely end up being a tale that reflects what we continue to go through as a species. “This movie is about the need to co-exist and survive together. If this pandemic has taught us anything it’s that we need the different generations to protect each other. It was the right movie to be making at this moment.”
Jurassic World: Dominion is set to be released on June 10, 2022.
*thanks to our regular readers for sticking around despite this in-joke that won’t die