Jeff Goldblum Teases Ian Malcolm’s ‘Saucy, Sassy’ Return in ‘Jurassic World 2’
Jeff Goldblum is a National Treasure (like, is Nicolas Cage looking for him, or what?), the latest evidence of which can be found in a charmingly off-kilter new interview, wherein the actor, jazz enthusiast and surprise sausage salesman talks about returning to the Jurassic Park franchise — or, as he likes to call it, “dino-entertainment.” And the series is about to get a whole lot more entertaining now that Dr. Ian Malcolm is back.
Entertainment Weekly published a crazy-wonderful interview with Goldblum, in which the actor touches on his roles in two upcoming blockbuster films: The Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok, and Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic World 2 — the latter of which marks his first appearance in the franchise since The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Although Goldblum doesn’t specifically name his character, he beautifully describes him — as only Goldblum could — as a “saucy, sassy man of some integrity and deep thinking”:
I’ll try to contribute something to the plate of dino-entertainment. I like my character. I think my character is a saucy, sassy man of some integrity and deep thinking. And of course, that whole world continues to be popular, slam-bang, top entertainment. I talked to the director, J.A. Bayona, over the phone. I enjoyed his movie The Impossible with Naomi Watts, and he’s something else. I didn’t realize he was a good friend of a friend of mine, a director I worked with a while ago in Spain named Fernando Trueba, who’s just fantastic. Knowing that the two of them are brethren and brotherly in their friendship makes me feel very good, too. Even though some might say it’s popcorn-y entertainment (top-notch, of course), in our conversation he was very focused on the serious issues of greed as it oftentimes comes up in those movies, and the marvels of science and reason and the very fascinating point at which our species finds itself both in real life and in this imaginary world too. I’m very interested in that myself, so I’m looking forward to this. I’ve got a few things to do. I’m nothing if not conscientious, so I’m enjoying working on it every day.
Jurassic World’s categorization as “slam-bang, top entertainment” is debatable — but you’d hardly expect a perfect gentleman like Goldblum to have anything but warm things to say about a franchise he’s involved with.
J.A. Bayona (A Monster Calls) is directing Jurassic World 2 from a screenplay by Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow and his co-writer, Derek Connolly. Bayona has promised fans that the sequel will be scarier (but still fun!) and feature more animatronic dinosaurs, while Trevorrow has said that it will explore animal cruelty and captivity. In addition to Goldblum’s highly-anticipated return, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard will reprise their roles from the previous film, alongside new co-stars Toby Jones, Rafe Spall, James Cromwell and Geraldine Chaplin.
Jurassic World 2 hits theaters on June 22, 2018.