Thescreescore – Jurassic World: Rebirth director Gareth Edwards recently revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes anxiety: a pivotal scene, initially feared too reminiscent of Indiana Jones, almost ended up on the cutting room floor. Edwards, a filmmaker known for his Spielbergian influences, found himself navigating the tricky terrain of inheriting a franchise born from the legendary director’s own genius. Rebirth, arriving 32 years after the original Jurassic Park, aims to usher in a new era, though critical reception has been mixed. The film, however, boasts thrilling sequences, particularly those involving Scarlett Johansson’s Zora Bennett and her team’s daring DNA retrieval missions.
The source of Edwards’s concern? A breathtaking mid-film sequence where the team scales a colossal cliff to obtain Quetzalcoatlus DNA. The cliff face, adorned with the remnants of an ancient civilization, sparked a creative dilemma. In a Vanity Fair interview, Edwards confessed, "I couldn’t figure out a cool clifftop set piece; there wasn’t much real estate. If the [dinosaur] returned, I didn’t know how to hide. So, maybe a cave, a carving…an old civilization. In Central America? That meant Inca. And Inca iconography? Suddenly, it was ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’."
The parallel wasn’t lost on producer Frank Marshall, involved in both Jurassic World: Rebirth and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Marshall’s reaction, according to Edwards, was a casual, "Oh, yeah, this is certainly familiar." Edwards, unsure whether this was praise or condemnation, watched his crew’s beaming faces. "I kept waiting for someone to say, ‘No, don’t do that.’" But the set, a testament to the crew’s passion, remained.
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This Indiana Jones echo, however, isn’t necessarily a detriment. Edwards’s Spielbergian homage extends beyond this scene; the Mosasaurus sequence evokes Jaws. The ancient civilization elements add intrigue to the island setting, enriching the overall narrative. The Quetzalcoatlus and Mosasaurus encounters are arguably Rebirth’s highlights. While the clifftop sequence undeniably shares DNA with Raiders, this isn’t a flaw but a fascinating blend of two cinematic giants. The connection makes perfect sense considering both franchises’ shared respect for history; Indiana Jones unearths ancient artifacts, while Jurassic Park showcases prehistoric giants. Ultimately, the decision to retain this exhilarating sequence was the right one, a testament to the film’s creative vision and the seamless integration of homage and originality. Source: Vanity Fair
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