GeekGasm: Does A New Line of Jurassic Park Toys Mean Anything for Its Film Future?

By Kevin Coll • August 25, 2009 • View Comments

Hasbro just announced today that they were set on developing a new line for their Jurassic Park toyline. Plans to re-unleash the legendary dinosaurs from Universal Pictures’ Jurassic Park. This fall, under a licensing agreement with Universal Partnerships & Licensing, Hasbro plans to launch a new action figure line based on the film’s prehistoric predators exclusively at Toys”R”Us stores across the country.

“Jurassic Park is one of the most successful film franchises of all time and has a passionate fan base,” said Derryl DePriest, Vice President of Marketing at Hasbro. “Dinosaurs are also tremendously popular with kids, and Jurassic Park is the mark of authenticity when it comes to realistic and exciting dinosaur play.”

“Jurassic Park remains the quintessential dinosaur brand,” said Stephanie Sperber, Executive Vice President, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. “The movies still rank as one of the top five trilogies of all time, and with Hasbro and Toys”R”Us behind the line, we know there will be great demand for the product. We truly have a winning combination on our hands.”

Hasbro’s Jurassic Park product line will be available exclusively at Toys”R”Us stores beginning this fall, featuring authentic dinosaur action figures in various sizes, such as:

Jurassic Park Basic Dinosaur Two-Pack Assortment - Now, kids can assemble their own dino army with this collection of authentic Jurassic Park dinosaurs! With two dinosaurs in each pack, this assortment allows children to create amazing dinosaur adventures. Ages: 4 & up; No batteries required

Jurassic Park Deluxe Dinosaur and Figure Assortment - Each deluxe two-pack in this assortment comes with a dinosaur and a “Dino Tracker” action figure that is equipped with an accessory that lets them track their prey. Now, kids can determine who will win the hunt -dinosaurs or humans. Ages: 4 & up; No batteries required

Jurassic Park Electronic Dinosaur Assortment - The battle is coming! These fully articulated dinosaurs battle each other and have “dino-damage” to show for it. Each dinosaur lets out a fierce roar when kids activate its individual attack action. To create a more realistic battle, kids can also press the “dino-damage” to hear the dinosaur howl. Ages: 4 & up; 3 “A76″ or “LR44″ Alkaline batteries required (included)

Jurassic Park Deluxe Electronic T-Rex – The king of the dinosaurs has arrived! This massive T-Rex comes to life with multiple growls, roars and howls and even a “bone crunching” sound effect for when it eats its prey. Additionally, its motion activated stomping sounds are sure to strike fear into humans and other dinosaurs alike. This giant dinosaur comes with a “Dino Tracker” action and a weapon that really fires. As an added bonus, the back of the box has an illustration that can be cut out and assembled into an off-road vehicle. Ages: 4 & up; 3 “AAA” batteries required (included).

Since Universal Pictures and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment first joined forces to unleash an adventure over 65 million years in the making, Jurassic Park has become the “premier” and “authentic” dinosaur brand the world over. When Jurassic Park was released in 1993, it became an instant phenomenon. In the years that followed, two additional films were released – The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III – bringing the trilogy’s worldwide box office total to more than $2 billion. The franchise continues to resonate with consumers worldwide via consumer products, popular attractions at Universal Studios Theme Parks and annual airings of the three films on a multitude of television networks.

So this is all from the press release from Hasbro and I chose to post it because the information was really good not just about the toys but about the film franchise’s impact. So this begs the question would Hasbro and Universal be keen on continuing the film franchise based on the belief that it “resonates with consumers worldwide via consumer products, popular attractions at Universal Studios Theme Parks and annual airings of the three films on a multitude of television networks?”

I mean there is no doubt about the brand recognition it holds and that is what Hasbro will tell you and their toy consumers do not think that much differently than movie audiences therefore I wonder with this timing if Universal hasn’t thought of a JP4 or even a reboot or re-imaginging? There has been talk for the longest time about a new movie revolving around the original cast members (the one’s who survived) and their return to surviving from the deadly dinos. Stan Winston, who played a intrical part in 1993 making the anamtronic life size dinosaurs come to life, passed away, and a the fourth film was presumably put on hold.

In December 2008, Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy were asked if there was any development on the sequel. Marshall responded, “No… I don’t know. You know, when Michael Crichton passed away, I sorta felt maybe that’s it. Maybe that’s a sign that we don’t mess with it.” While Marshall and Kennedy were no longer signed with Universal Pictures in a production capacity, the two will remain involved with the studio and its plans for Jurassic Park IV.

In June 2009, in an interview with IGN, producer Frank Marshall talked about the prospect of Jurassic Park IV. When asked if Land of the Lost affected production of JP4, he said, “No no, I think Land of the Lost, it was a comedy. We just have to see if they can come up with a story [for JPIV]. We don’t have a story.” In another interview with io9, he was asked privately for any other information on the fourth film. Frank Marshall said once again that it was a “back burner project” and said “at this point, you could call it a long shot”.

So its been in development hell but with sudden re-emurgence of the toyline for a new generation and longtime collectors is it that time to revisit the idea of a fourth film, or like I mentioned a reboot? Hollywood is about what is hot and what is trendy, if Hasbro can suceed in reinvigorating fans on the toy brand of the Jurassic Park line, why wouldn’t there be a consideration for a film. I think the debate is there.

If you are reading this Universal then ask me about my story idea for a fourth film I am not shitting you its brilliant and if your interested I’ll pitch the treatment idea. I am a Jurassic Park fan, fan of the books, fan of the original toyline, fan of the first film and a fan of the whole concept, I think this announcement on the toys could mean a reimagining, a reintroduction, an ode to Crichton’s idea of social responsibility and how far can we go?

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About the Author

Kevin Coll

Kevin is a film freak, just ask him something movie related and he lights up like a Christmas tree. Originally his destiny was to go to film school, hit LA and try and become the next big thing. Circumstances change but in college, he fell in love with writing. After several failed attempts in starting a legit and hip school online magazine for his university Kevin moved into the blogosphere for himself and began Kevin’s Rant which in 2007 morphed into Fused Film. Kevin has contributed articles on other sites like Geeks of Doom and FilmShaft, he has also been a guest on podcasts for MovieViral and The Film Feed at FS.Net. His favorite movie of all time is Empire Strikes Back, he loves his Chucks, he is an avid Stargate fan and classic rock is his music scene. Email him at: kcoll@fusedfilm.com Follow His Twitter: FusedFilm