"Love Letter to Spielberg": 'Jurassic World 4' Reboots with Fan's Vision (Press Conference)

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With cumulative box office revenue exceeding $6 billion (approximately 81 trillion KRW), the biggest blockbuster film franchise, 'Jurassic,' has returned with a reboot.

This reboot was crafted by a dedicated 'Jurassic' fan. It incorporates various homages to 'Jurassic Park' and meticulously re-examines the original source material. As technology has advanced, it also features even more spectacular visual effects.

Director Gareth Edwards confessed, "I'm a huge fan of the 'Jurassic' series. So, I made this film like a love letter to Director Steven Spielberg."

The completely new cast, featuring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend, has also garnered significant attention. They usher in a new era of dinosaurs.

The team behind the film 'Jurassic World: New Beginnings' (hereafter 'Jurassic World 4') held a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, and Director Gareth Edwards were present.

Staying True to the Original, Embracing the New

Befitting a reboot, the film remains faithful to the original. Efforts were made to fully retain the unique identity of the 'Jurassic' series while fiercely exploring new directions to continue the franchise.

Director Edwards stated, "Frankly, I'm still searching for the answer to the balance between identity and novelty. For now, to strike that balance, I think the first step is to be a fan of the series."

The scale of the previously featured dinosaurs has grown significantly. However, the truly overwhelming presence comes from mutant dinosaurs, which appear as the final bosses, taking on monstrous forms.

Why did they need to be monstrous? Director Edwards considered human nature. "It's human instinct to feel fear towards giant animals. That's why I thought monster movies would continue to survive," he explained.

The previous 'Jurassic World' series depicted the coexistence of dinosaurs and humans. This reboot, however, delves into the story after that coexistence, portraying a world where dinosaurs are once again facing extinction due to human greed.

Director Edwards explained, "We've embedded a deep message about the relationship between nature and humanity," adding, "We intended to awaken a sense of awareness about the need to preserve nature."

Star Cast's Deep Dive into Their Roles

Scarlett Johansson plays Zora Bennett, a former military special agent. She stated, "I've been a fan of the series since I was 10 years old. It's an honor to be able to enter the Jurassic world itself."

Driven by exceptional affection, she meticulously worked on her character's development from the outset, conveying her own interpretations to the writer. She helped create a three-dimensional character, not just a cool agent or woman.

Johansson expressed her gratitude, saying, "I had many conversations with the writer, and when I saw the revised script, they had included all the interaction scenes I wanted between Zora and the other characters."

She also advocated against including romance. "I didn't think how charming Zora was as a woman was important," she noted, adding, "The film's timeline doesn't lend itself to romance. Fans wouldn't have wanted it either."

Even with 31 years of acting experience, it wasn't easy for the Hollywood top star to act while imagining dinosaurs, as on set, dinosaurs were merely tennis balls on sticks.

Johansson recalled, "It was sometimes difficult to maintain tension in scenes where I had to react with surprise or wonder at dinosaurs. But my fellow actors were all excellent, which helped maintain immersion."

Jonathan Bailey takes on the role of Henry Loomis, a paleontologist. Henry's museum, where he worked, closes due to declining interest in dinosaurs. To overcome his unemployment, Henry joins an operation offering a substantial reward.

Bailey highlighted commonalities with Henry, laughing, "Henry is truly awestruck when he actually meets dinosaurs. It was so amazing for me to be part of this film that it was easy to act."

He delivered even more refined performances thanks to his fellow actors. "The teamwork with the actors was so good. We could even create things that weren't in the script," he noted, adding, "And the director brought out our maximum capabilities."

Rupert Friend transforms into Martin Krebs, an agent for a giant pharmaceutical company. He is tasked with obtaining dinosaur DNA for new drug development, an selfish villain who only cares about results.

Friend delivered his performance by relying on the power of imagination to confront the dinosaurs. "There's a scene where I first encounter a Titanosaurus and react with surprise. I was so immersed that I got goosebumps all over and almost cried," he confessed.

He also praised the teamwork, explaining that despite the characters having different motivations, their camaraderie grew due to team operations. "My character was isolated by the story. Nevertheless, I even felt a sense of family with my colleagues."

Favorite Dinosaurs and Anticipation for Korean Fans

When asked about their favorite dinosaurs, Johansson chose the Triceratops, Friend the Dilophosaurus, and Bailey the Apatosaurus. Bailey hinted, "The Apatosaurus appears in the film as a tiny dinosaur named Dolores."

Director Edwards created laughter in the room by saying, "I've told each of the dinosaurs, 'You are the main character,' so it's hard to pick just one. The Tyrannosaurus probably isn't happy this time because its role isn't big, so I'll pick him."

The 'Jurassic World' team will meet Korean fans later today at 7 PM for a red carpet event. Friend expressed his excitement, "I heard that Korean fans are the most passionate in the world. I'm already so thrilled."

Johansson showed her affection for Korea. "This morning I went to Myeongdong and bought a lot of skincare products. For breakfast, I tasted all seven kinds of kimchi," she exclaimed, "I'm also looking forward to meeting the fans this evening."

Finally, the actors urged audiences to see the film in theaters. Bailey emphasized, "It's an incredibly thrilling film, perfect for watching in a theater." Friend added, "To fully enjoy the vast natural landscapes, you must see it in a theater."

'Jurassic World: New Beginnings' opens in theaters tomorrow. What are you most excited to see in this reboot?