Nine years afterJurassic World, I finally realized how much impact Jeff Goldblum’sDr. Ian Malcolmhas had on theJurassic Parkuniverse. The “chaotician” provides the backbone of the philosophical rebuttal against Dr. John Hammond’s romanticized view of his dinosaur amusement park in the introductory filmJurassic Park. But it’s not until the sequel trilogy that Malcolm’s impact on the story world is truly felt. In 2015’sJurassic World, Goldblum fails to reprise his role as the suave doctor, but his presence still remains.
Despite attempts to hide it,Jurassic Worldfilmmakers include small movie Easter eggsin relation to Goldblum’s iconic character. On a train shuttle ride to the hotel, Claire’s assistant Zara is seen reading a book presumed to be authored by Dr. Ian Malcolm. Later in the park control room, Jake Johnson’s Lowery has the same book tucked away on his desk. Although never explicitly shown or talked about, the inclusion of this small detailperfectly sets up Malcolm’s cameo inJurassic World: Fallen Kingdomand his B-plot storyline inJurassic World Dominion.
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Despite them hiding in plain sight, it took me a long time to realize these Easter eggs exist. Claire’s assistant squirrels the book away behind one of the shuttle seats, while Lowery’s copy is obscured by camera blurriness and dark shadows. Goldblum’s memorable pose as the quotable mathematician is visible on the back cover, the only hint at Dr. Malcolm’s presence inJurassic World. Otherwise, the chaos theory philosopher is only mentioned in passing or through subtle jokes. Malcolm isn’t the only Easter egg found in the franchise revival, but – for me – he is one of the most subtle.
By implying the publication of Malcolm’s book within the franchise story world,Jurassic Worldis basically foreshadowing Jeff Goldblum’s appearance in later sequels.
Utilizing a similar technique as the recentStar Warstrilogy,Jurassic Worldrecycles iconic and memorable props, shot types, and music queues that were used in the first movies. The green-yellow headlamp, the Indominus Rex sniffing around the car, and the John Williams score all harken back to Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film. However, none of these Easter eggs function the same way Malcolm’s undisclosed book does. By implying the publication of Malcolm’s book within the franchise story world,Jurassic Worldis basically foreshadowing Jeff Goldblum’s appearance in later sequels.
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Between 2001 and 2015, multiple drafts ofJurassic Park 4were developed by a number of different creators with some versions featuring original cast members from the first movie.Jurassic Worldwould go on to reboot the franchise altogether, producing a new story literally on top of the old Isla Nublar theme park. LikeGodzilla x King KongorTransformers: Rise of the Beasts,theJurassic Parkfranchise needed to regenerate new characterswith a new plot and bigger stakes. Clinging too hard onto the first trilogy would’ve detracted from the intended developments seen in the 2015 installment.
While Jeff Goldblum didn’t need to reprise his role inJurassic World, the film definitely needed somebody like him. Dr. Ian Malcolm offered a sense of reason, someone who could look past the financial gain and accurately assess the risks. Having a spokesperson for the elaborate chaos theory is an essential aspect of anyJurassic Parksequel, and felt to me like a missing link in theJurassic Worldreboot. Luckily, the filmmakers self-corrected by including this warning in later sequels, along with Goldblum’s Malcolm leading the charge against euthanizing the dinosaurs.
Jurassic World
Cast
Jurassic World is a 2015 science fiction adventure film directed by Colin Trevorrow. Set 22 years after Jurassic Park, it introduces audiences to a fully operational dinosaur theme park on Isla Nublar. The narrative explores the consequences of genetic engineering as a hybrid dinosaur creation turns dangerous.
