According to Coming Soon, producers Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy revealed at press junket for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button that plans have fallen through for a fourth entry in the "Jurassic Park" franchise.
When asked if there was any development on the long-anticipated sequel, Kennedy responded, "No... I don't know. You know, when Crichton passed away, I sorta felt maybe that's it. Maybe that's a sign that we don't mess with it." So much for a happy 15th anniversary for JP.
There have been quite a few rumors in the seven years since Joe Johnston's Jurassic Park III, including many enthusiastic quotes from Steven Spielberg about the "great idea" that was cooked up by William Monahan and John Sayles in 2004. As of now, it appears as though we'll never, ever get to finally find out just what became of those DNA samples that Dennis Nedry stashed inside that Barbasol can. Why did Spielberg linger so long on that damn shot!?
Oh well. Perhaps it's just as well to let sleeping dinos die. And someday, who knows? Years from now, Crichton himself will inevitably be cloned...brought back to life with the soul purpose of writing another installment of the series which will give JP4 another shot at giving the world that "great idea." Life will find a way!
