After three Jurassic Park films brought a bevvy of dinosaur breeds to live-action for moviegoers, the movie series returns this summer in an effort to do something new and different for a new generation of fans alongside the previous ones who may feel exhausted by franchise fatigue. Offering a new spin on the idea of real life dinosaurs serving as attractions at a theme park, the premise of Jurassic World is a meta-commentary of itself.
Much like movie sequels, amusement parks must one-up themselves every few years with newer, bigger rides - something to base their marketing efforts on to lure consumers back. This is exactly what Jurassic World aims to do in a story that involves corporate greed taking the science behind resurrecting dinosaurs to the next level. When "regular" dinosaurs aren't enough, they decide to bio-engineer a new, fiercer and smarter breed, all in the name of showing attendees a good time. Cue the Indominus Rex and the very bad time...
The Indominus Rex is the first "hybrid" dinosaur created for Jurassic World, a creature described as being even more aggressive than Tyrannosaurus Rex. It is the reality of this monster, the reasoning behind its existence and what its introduction leads to, that forms the plot of the film. And as you can tell from the Jurassic World trailers, all hell breaks loose once again - but this time in a theme park with thousands of civilians. The official JW website offers the following description of the new creature from the scientists who created it:
We set out to make Indominus the most fearsome dinosaur ever to be displayed at Jurassic World. The genetic engineers at our Hammond Creation Lab have more than delivered.
At first glance, Indominus most closely resembles a T. Rex. But its distinctive head ornamentation and ultra-tough bony osteoderms can be traced from Theropods known as Abeliosaurs. Indominus’ horns have been placed above the eye orbit through genetic material hybridized from Carnotaurus, Majungasaurus, Rugops and Gigantosaurus. Fearsome indeed.
Indominus’ roar is estimated to reach 140-160db—the same as a 747 taking off and landing. And it can reach speeds of 30 mph…while confined to its enclosure. Come experience Indominus Rex for yourself beginning this summer. If you dare.
And speaking with EW to promote the film, Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow offers a little more explanation on what the Indominus Rex really represents.
"The Indominus was meant to embody our worst tendencies. We’re surrounded by wonder and yet we want more. And we want it bigger, faster, louder, better. And in the world of the movie the animal is designed based on a series of corporate focus groups. Like in the same way a lot of movies are. They sit a bunch of people down and they ask them, “What can we do to make the dinosaurs more entertaining for you? What would make you tell a friend to come to Jurassic World?” And their answer is, of course, “We want to see something bigger, faster, louder, more vicious; we want a killer.” And they get what what they ask for."
"It’s a hybrid of specific dinosaurs with great movie names like the Giganotosaurus and Majungasaurus, as well as other animals that exist in the world today, with certain attributes that Dr. Wu [B.D. Wong] felt would create the ultimate piece of entertainment."
The idea is "surprisingly simple" as Trevorrow puts it, a metaphor for not just going to the movies, but of consuming entertainment and being guided by overbearing marketing. Interestingly enough, that's exactly how fans discovered what this new hybrid dinosaur would look like when images of Indominus Rex surfaced online. Trevorrow continues, "the fact that stuff was leaked through merchandising plays right into what we’re doing. Indominus is an abomination and a killer—and on party plates."
And since it is what it is, a big summer spectacle popcorn movie designed to push toys into the hands of kids everywhere, we have exactly what you're looking for - dinosaur toys! If anything, the timing of Jurassic World might be perfect since there's a noticeable lack of (non-robotic) dinosaur movies in years. Perhaps that's why it's not surprising to see the film tracking for a whopping $100 million box office opening. Take a look at the flagship Indominus Rex toy below and click through the list of links to see the other tie-in merchandise from Hasbro and LEGO. Did we mention there's also a LEGO Jurassic World video game?
- Hasbro Jurassic World - Basic Figures
- Hasbro Jurassic World - Brawlasaur Singles
- Hasbro Jurassic World - Chomping Dino Head & Hero Mashers
- Hasbro Jurassic World - Lights & Sounds Figure Assortment
- Hasbro Jurassic World - Playsets & Playskool Heroes
- Hasbro Jurassic World - Raptor Assortment & Role Play Items
- Hasbro Jurassic World - Stomp & Strike T-Rex and Vehicle Battle Packs
- LEGO Jurassic World Sets
Colin Trevorrow directs the fourth Jurassic Park off a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Derek Connolly & himself. The film stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio, Judy Greer, Nick Robinson, Jake Johnson, Irrfan Khan, Lauren Lapkus, BD Wong, Katie McGrath, and Ty Simpkins.
Jurassic World releases in theaters June 12, 2015.
Hasbro Jurassic World - Basic Figures
Hasbro Jurassic World - Brawlasaur Singles
Hasbro Jurassic World - Chomping Dino Head & Hero Mashers
Hasbro Jurassic World - Lights & Sounds Figure Assortment
Hasbro Jurassic World - Playsets & Playskool Heroes
Hasbro Jurassic World - Raptor Assortment & Role Play Items
Hasbro Jurassic World - Stomp & Strike T-Rex and Vehicle Battle Packs