Sam Neill on why he was "slightly irked" by Jurassic Park marketing
Jurassic Park might be one of the most fondly remembered films of the 1990s, wowing people with its groundbreaking effects, featuring another timeless John Williams score, and making people fall in love with Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum.
But Sam has admitted feeling like he and his co-stars were sidelined when it came to marketing the film.
In his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? (via The Independent), the Dr Alan Grant actor recalls feeling a tad annoyed that the film, released in an age where bankable movie stars were the focus, was selling itself specifically on its lack of movie stars.
Related: Jurassic World director admits sequels "probably" shouldn't have happened
"Why me? I'm certainly not an action hero," he wrote. "The idea of me going hand to hand with Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger is simply absurd. I'm more of the ordinary guy on screen.
"If indeed I was supposed to be that sort of action guy, I was already, I think, 45 years old, and as always had left things about 10 or 15 years too late. The impostor syndrome would be enhanced later on when we were out and about promoting the movie.
"The more or less official line from Universal Pictures was that, with Jurassic Park, they had set out to prove that they, with Spielberg, could make huge blockbusters without 'movie stars'. This was true enough, but I think it slightly irked us, the actors, to be reminded from time to time we were not real 'stars'.
Related: Courteney Cox and Laura Dern unveil matching tattoos
Adding that his co-stars had "well-established and highly respected careers", Neill felt that their talent was being overlooked, especially as it turns out Harrison Ford allegedly turned down a role in the movie, so he has been left unsure whether plans for a "no movie star" film changed.
However, Neill adds that despite this, they are all thrilled to be involved with the franchise: "I emphasise the word 'slightly' [irked], because more than anything we were all delighted to be working with Steven. And to be working on something that would be absolutely groundbreaking, as it turned out."
You Might Also Like
