Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom producer and co-writer Colin Trevorrow has revealed he was never tempted to give Ian Malcolm a larger role in the story. Jeff Goldblum’s Malcolm stole the show among the human characters of Jurassic Park, thanks to his dry humor and the actor’s endearingly quirky performance. Goldblum has since revealed the character was almost cut from the script when it was felt his character could be merged with Dr. Alan Grant instead, but the actor advocated for the part to stay.

Malcolm was upgraded to lead in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, where he’s manipulated into a rescue mission on the original test site for the dinosaur clones. Another return to an island filled with dinosaurs would have been a stretch, though, so the character was left out of Jurassic Park 3. Goldblum reprised the role for the first time in over 20 years for the latest sequel Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, but he only appears in one scene. Malcolm testifies before Congress that the dinosaurs on Isla Nublar should be left to perish in a forthcoming volcanic eruption, arguing nature can correct humanity’s mistakes.

Some fans were disappointed the character has a relatively brief appearance, but while talking to Empire about the movie, Colin Trevorrow admits he never saw Malcolm playing a bigger role or returning to the Island.

Given Malcolm’s experiences in the first two movies, it’s hard to envision a credible scenario where he would have willingly gone back to Isla Nublar to help save the stranded dinosaurs. Like Trevorrow states, it would have felt too contrived, and while more Goldblum is always a good thing, at least his short appearance in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom felt more appropriate for the character.

We never did. It always felt really cheap to me. It always felt fake. It felt like a construct of screenwriters trying to figure out how to fit in a character they love. I have so much respect for those characters I just wouldn’t want them doing anything I don’t think they’d naturally do.

Any Ian Malcolm fans disappointed by the lack of their favorite screen mathematician in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom can turn to video game Jurassic World Evolution instead. Goldblum will play a major part in the game, where he advises players as they construct their own virtual park; given his years of experience, his advice should prove valuable. Goldblum has also confirmed he’d love to return for Jurassic World 3, and Trevorrow has already hinted classic characters from the original trilogy might make a return for the next movie.

More: Here’s When Jurassic World 2’s Opening Scene Takes Place

Source: Empire

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