If you can remember as far back as 1993 and the release of Jurassic Park (or 2013 and the release of the post-converted 3D version), you might remember chief geneticist Dr. Henry Wu, played by actor B.D. Wong. Wu did not have a large part, but it was a pivotal one, introducing the world to baby velociraptors and the basic pseudo-science behind them. With the upcoming sequel Jurassic World lacking the return of any major characters, it is somehow not surprising that the producers have decided to bring back the short-shrifted Wu to play a more integral role.
As director Colin Trevorrow is keen to point out (via Collider), Dr. Wu actually had a much bigger role in Michael Crichton’s original novel. In fact, Wu was the “engineer in this breakthrough in de-extinction” (there’s a word I didn’t know existed) and “spent more than two decades in Hammond’ s shadow.” Trevorrow’s point is well-taken: Wu is responsible for a lot of the mess.
Trevorrow also took some time to discuss the two lead characters, played by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard:
He’s a classic hero in a very modern context. He’s the guy who will get you through the jungle alive – but like Malcolm, Grant and Sattler, he’s an expert in a scientific field that’s connected to our story. The character allows us to explore some new ideas about our relationship with these animals, without losing the humor and sense of adventure. He’s a great contrast for Bryce Dallas Howard’s character, who starts off very corporate, very controlled. Until the running and screaming starts. Then they need each other.
The Pratt/Howard characters sound like somewhat predictable types: the adventurous but intelligent scientist and the uptight female corporate type. But the original Jurassic Park was not exactly an example of character-driven filmmaking, so why should its sequel be any different? As long as Pratt and Howard can give a little bit of depth to their characters, Jurassic World should be good fun. Bringing back Dr. Wu might likewise prove intriguing, given that he was kind of responsible for bringing the dinosaurs back to life. I wonder if he feels bad about all those people dying.
It’s going to be awhile before we know if Jurassic World can stand with the original, or has to fall into the “needless sequels” category that has grown so large of late. As of now, all we can do is patiently await its June 12th, 2015, release date.