After almost 30 years since starring together in the cult-favourite, dinosaur-loving action film, Jurassic Park, Laura Dern and Sam Neill are set to escape the prehistoric reptiles once more.
But first, the pair sat down for an interview with The Sunday Times, reflecting on the original blockbuster film that skyrocketed their careers.
While the reunion between the two was heartwarming to say the least, the internet couldn’t help but wonder how their 21-year age gap felt appropriate at the time.
In the 1993 film, Neill played the part of Alan Grant, a paleontologist, and Dern starred as Ellie Sattler, a paleobotanist, both of whom were invited to the dinosaur-riddled theme park to secure a safety certification. And later, sparked inklings of romantic attraction to each other.
“I am 20 years older than Laura,” Neill revealed in the interview. “Which at the time was a completely appropriate age difference for a leading man and lady.”
He continued, “It never occurred to me until I opened a magazine and there was an article called ‘Old Geezers and Gals’. People like Harrison Ford and Sean Connery acting with much younger people. And there I was, on the list. I thought, ‘Come on. It can’t be true’.”
As for Dern, she agreed that their age difference didn’t feel so inappropriate at the time of filming.
“Well, it felt completely appropriate to fall in love with Sam Neill. And it was only now, when we returned in a moment of cultural awareness about the patriarchy, that I was, like, ‘Wow! We’re not the same age?’,” Dern explained.
Neill also recalled a time when he felt confused about director Steven Speilberg’s decision to cast himself and Dern together.
“Let me talk for Laura, because this is what men do in the patriarchy,” Neill joked.
“Laura was a tender age. I’m guessing… 23? And she was already an exciting actor—she had done David Lynch films. It was no surprise she was asked. But I was completely baffled to be called by Steven. I didn’t get it,” he revealed.
As for why they’ve reunited three decades after the original film, Neill and Dern will rejoin Jeff Goldblum to reprise their roles in the sixth film of the franchise, Jurassic World Dominion.
In an interview with People, Goldblum explained that they “totally fell back into step” while filming the 2022 installment.
“We had such a close experience on the first one, and they’re, of course, two of the greatest actors of our time in the world. And so, I loved it,” Goldblum revealed. “We’ve stayed in touch over the years, but that was so exciting.”
Fans of the franchise can catch Jurassic World Dominion on June 9 2022 in Australian cinemas.
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