Laura Dern on feminist approach in 'Jurassic' films; 'In line with what Steven intended'

New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) Actor Laura Dern says when Steven Spielberg offered her role of paleobotanist Dr Ellie Sattler in 1993's “Jurrasic Park”, y both were clear about making her an empowering character, a vision that has been carried forward in new "Jurassic World" trilogy.

Dern became a global star with her portrayal of Sattler in Spielberg's trilogy of “Jurassic Park”, “ Lost World: Jurassic Park”, “Jurassic Park III” alongside Sam Niell’s Dr Alan Grant and Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm.

three actors have reunited for final film in Colin Trevorrow’s “Jurrasic World” trilogy, which she believes has powerful women who are "equal to men in story".

"w we're seeing a lot of movies, and I'm so happy we are. Because of industry being shamed into considering and diversity in storytelling, we are seeing ourselves reflected in stories, thank God.

"But what I love is that this franchise, from its beginning, treated female equal to men and it has continued to evolve with powerful women at helm," Dern told PTI in a virtual interview from Los Angeles.

55-year-old actor said during press tour of first movie, most of people would talk about boys loving disaurs, but success of "Jurassic Park", which was based on Michael Crichton's 1990 vel of same name, changed that perception.

“I met a woman last week who told me she's first female Congresswoman in her area in United States and Ellie Sattler was her hero because she h never seen women who were equal to men in a film. That was her first memory of that experience. It really gave her cour to go into politics. That means so much to me,” actor said.

In her illustrious career, Dern has featured in critically-acclaimed films like “Rambling Rose”,” Wild”, “Little Women”, “Marri Story”, as well as series “Enlightened”, “Big Little Lies” and “Twin Peaks: Return”. She has won all top awards including Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy, for her work.

When she was offered a chance to return to world of disaurs, Dern said she wanted to ensure that her character h evolved with times.

“In movie she has to move forward. She has to evolve as a woman. I love her being an independent single woman, but also in area of science. She would take her expertise in paleontology, move towards soil science and focus on climate change. This is exactly what Dr Ellie Sattler would do today. She would figure out a way to avoid ar extinction and take care of all of us with bravery and an intellect that she has,” actor said.

Titled “Jurrasic World: Dominion”, last film in Trevorrow’s trilogy also features Bryce Dallas Howard as former Jurassic World park’s former manr Claire Dearing, DeWanda Wise as former Air Force pilot Kayla Watts and young actor Isabella Sermon as Maisie Lockwood.

Having spent time with se “amazing” actors, Dern said she realised that franchise has been on right track. "se characters are really in line with what Steven Spielberg intended when we collaborated on who Ellie Sattler would be and it makes me very proud. It me for an amazing time.” And even though re are a lot of “heroic” men in movie, like franchise stars Chris Pratt, Neill and Goldblum, Dern joked she would want women of film to be by her side in time of crisis.

“We have a lot of safe heroic men in this movie that are amazing, but if I was in trouble I would definitely want those girls on my team,” she quipped.

One of most versatile actors of her generation, Dern has worked with celebrated filmmakers like David Lynch, Robert Altman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Martha Coolidge, ah Baumbach, Jennifer Fox and Greta Gerwig.

She credits her parents, actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ld, for teaching her at a young to follow “filmmakers with vision”.

“I am so grateful for my parents who taught me at a very young to follow filmmakers with vision. If I feel re's a story that must be told, eir because it's a unique voice and vision or if it is telling a woman's story with all her flaws and vulnerability, I do it. I feel so grateful. I've been lucky eugh to follow filmmakers in that way.” “Jurrasic World: Dominion”, a follow up to "Jurassic World" and "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom", is scheduled to be released in India on June 10.

film is backed by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. PTI SHD BK BK

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