That is always the question. Before the Jurassic World movies I would have always chosen to focus on Nublar. But as time passes, the mysteries of Isla Sorna become even more enticing.
The islands in the Jurassic Park franchise have always felt like characters themselves. From the primordial, unforgiving jungles to the distant echoing roars of the horrors lurking within, there’s a definite feeling associated with the islands. I’ll always appreciate the World movies exploring new territories and breathing new visual life into the franchise… but I’m not finished with the jungle. Or those islands.
There are more stories to be told there. We’ve spent time on the two islands known to contain prehistoric life but we have not traversed them fully, nor have we encountered all of the species living on them.
Fan films can explore and expand the known lore of the franchise, and both Nublar and Sorna provide a sketchbook of opportunity for that to happen. Characters in the world of Jurassic Park would always be seeking ways onto those islands, the key is to not let the story succumb to the cliches of a Jurassic sequel.
Jurassic World brought us back to Isla Nublar for the first time since 1993. The majority of Jurassic World didn’t venture far into the area where the original park was located, we did however see the original Visitors Center. This location is a special one, and whether you like the execution of the scene in Jurassic World, this was a necessary location for a Nublar return.
But which island would serve the story more? When does the story take place?
Let’s suggest that a team of explorers head to Isla Nublar to help a mainland investigation into a span of dinosaur sightings that are believed to be originating from “those islands”. As their boat slowly approaches the cloudy shores of Isla Nublar, the memories from 1993 come rushing back. It’s the same coastline, this time though we’re arriving in a less official manner, via the eerily calm ocean. As the small vessel approaches and the shoreline appears through the mist, all that can be heard is the ripple of the water and the wind against the trees. The team unload on the shadow covered beach, and make their way into the unknown.
The park gates are the first, or one of the first locations you’d have to see. The majesty of that structure, the ominous feeling given off from their size. After 20 years… Are they even still standing? Whatever the damage these gates have faced, it’s a depressing sight – a theme park abandoned. A dream, crushed.
The visitors center would be next on the list, alongside the control room where we spend a chunk of the 1993 movie. I have always been curious about the vehicle storage, and while we never see it in the movie, it’s presumed that the tour vehicles are stored underneath the visitors center in a garage, likely where maintenance on the vehicles also took place. What would it look like seeing the abandoned Explorers, 20 years later? The raptor paddock must also join the list, and there’s also an opportunity to fill in a location mentioned in the first movie but not seen. Our characters could follow the path that Ray Arnold takes through the compound, from the control room to the bunker, but this time – we could see it.
Returning to the scene of the T. rex breakout scene is also a must. This scene defined Jurassic Park. Would this area still be home to the T. rex? What remnants from the breakout scene remain? The fallen fences, the distant mountains, the abandoned tour vehicle…
All of these locations would be visually striking to see. The bright buildings from 1993 no longer vibrant, now crumbling and resembling more of an ancient structure, the surrounding jungle taking over. This is all I had wanted to see while waiting for Jurassic Park IV.
There’s a reason we connect to these locations.
The nature of fan films allows them to indulge in the nostalgia and callbacks a little bit more, it’s one benefit fan films have over mainline theatrical sequels. We have to remember though: it’s not the reason our characters are there.
Isla Nublar or Isla Sorna?
Of course, there’s always Costa Rica…
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