Sam Neill perceives “Jurassic World Rebirth” not merely as another installment in the storied franchise but as a personal and deeper connection. Before dinosaurs and chaos theory took center stage, Neill forged an important link with Scarlett Johansson through their roles in the 1998 drama “The Horse Whisperer,” directed by Robert Redford. Neill portrayed Robert MacLean, the father of Johansson’s character, Grace, who was a young girl recovering from a traumatic horse accident.
In a recent conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Neill shared his sentiment about their longstanding bond, describing the project as a “family affair.” He reminisced about their time filming together in Montana, surrounded by notable actors like Kristin Scott Thomas and Redford, which adds an emotional layer to Johansson’s role in “Jurassic World Rebirth.”
Johansson plays Zora Bennett, an operations specialist for a pharmaceutical company, tasked with extracting DNA from various prehistoric creatures in a remote habitat. For Neill, seeing Johansson take a prominent role in advancing the franchise feels akin to welcoming a familiar face back to the forefront. “I’m very fond of Scarlett,” he expressed, highlighting the significance of their history.
Moreover, Neill returns to the dinosaur universe in a creative twist through a new Xfinity Super Bowl commercial, featuring a reunion with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. Under the direction of Taika Waititi, this ad humorously reimagines “Jurassic Park” in a scenario where technology functions seamlessly, preventing chaos and ensuring safety. Xfinity partnered with NBCUniversal to meticulously recreate iconic costumes, sets, and effects from the original 1993 film, although Neill mentioned that the wardrobe worn in the ad was a modern reproduction since he had auctioned off his original memorabilia for charity.
With the combination of nostalgia and innovation, both “Jurassic World Rebirth” and the commercial evoke a sense of continuity within the franchise while fostering new connections among its star-studded cast.