Credit: Universal PicturesThe Jurassic Park franchise is known mostly for two things: its dinosaurs and its characters. Certain members of its human ensemble are just as memorable as the likes of Velociraptor and T. rex. In fact, the original 1993 film has more iconic characters than it does dinosaurs!
The film “spares no expense” with its memorable characters. There’s Robert Muldoon (Bob Peck), John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), Ray Arnold (Samuel L Jackson), Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight), Donald Gennaro (Martin Ferrero), Henry Wu (BD Wong), Lex Murphy (Ariana Richards), and Tim Murphy (Joe Mazzello). And, of course, the Jurassic trio, Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum).
Life Always Finds a Way for the Actors to Return
The three actors have had a number of appearances throughout the sequels. Neill and Dern starred in Jurassic Park III (2001), while Goldblum, who had already led The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), enjoyed a cameo in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).
Most recently, the three reprised their roles in Jurassic World Dominion (2022). That film closed the Jurassic World trilogy and paved the way for last year’s soft-reset sequel, Jurassic World Rebirth (2025), which sees Scarlett Johansson lead an all-new cast on a new island.
Could They Appear in Jurassic Park: Survival?
It remains to be seen whether the three legacy actors will appear in Jurassic again.
Many fans are hoping they’ll make an appearance in the upcoming first-person action-adventure video game Jurassic Park: Survival, which takes place 24 hours after the 1993 film. When it comes to the Jurassic franchise, never say never — Goldblum is still lending his smooth vocal talents to Jurassic World Evolution, the park management sim game series.
Though it’s unlikely we’ll see them on the big screen again, it seems life has found a way…
The Jurassic Park Trio Returns in an Unlikely Place
Neill, Dern, and Goldblum have returned to Jurassic once again in an ad for Xfinity, the American telecommunications brand, ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 8.
The Big Game commercial, titled Jurassic Park … Works (Extended), re-creates iconic scenes from the 1993 film, from the T. rex breakout sequence to the Gallimimus stampede.
But, as the title suggests, this is a “what if…?”, meaning we get to see what might have happened had the dinosaurs not escaped their enclosures. With a huge dose of humor, of course. From Ellie enjoying a morning run with the Gallimimus to Ian marveling at “one big pile of shrimp” at the poolside, this feels more like “what if Jurassic Park was a comedy?”
Neill, Dern, and Goldblum have also been digitally de-aged to match their younger selves. Their new scenes are intercut with footage from the original film, including shots with John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) and Ray Arnold, AKA Mr. Arnold (Samuel L Jackson).
The de-aged versions are a bit creepy, though (probably because they were spared expense).
“Thanks to Xfinity, Jurassic Park at long last, uh, finds a way. With the help of Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum,” the caption beneath the video reads. Watch the new ad below:
Related: OG ‘Jurassic Park’ Actor Relives Terrifying Moment From 1993 Film
Could We Get a Real Jurassic Park “What If…?”
While this is nothing more than a parody intended to capture the attention of millions of viewers ahead of the Big Game, it gives food for thought where a “what if…?” story is concerned. On the other hand, we did get to see that scenario play out in Jurassic World (2015) to some extent. Though it’s a sequel to the 1993 film, it also imagines InGen’s remote, dinosaur-filled Costa Rican theme park resort running smoothly. At least for a few years.
As for seeing actors de-aged in an upcoming Jurassic film or TV series, this could easily become a reality when you consider Marvel and Star Wars have already done it many times.
Jurassic Park (1993) remains one of the most iconic sci-fi blockbusters of all time, so it’s hardly surprising that it continues to be parodied.
Collectively, all seven films in the series have grossed nearly $7 billion worldwide. Rumors suggest that Universal is considering an eighth film, which could see Rebirth director Gareth Edwards and star Johansson return.
The Super Bowl is on this Sunday, February 8.
Would you like to see Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum return for another Jurassic Park sequel? What do you think of this hilarious ad? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!