Sad news rolled in last night while I was at work. News that shook me to the bone (link). I couldn’t believe it to be true. Stan Winston, the father of Jurassic Park beautiful dinosaurs, Terminator, Aliens, Predator and many more has passed away at the age of 62. Stan Winston died of complications from multiple myeloma (MM) Sunday at his home in Malibu, said his son, Matt Winston. To us he will always be remembered as the one who created life-size dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, The Lost World and Jurassic Park III, blending them seamlessly with CG images, making us believe that dinosaurs roamed the earth once again. More recently, Winston and his team created the crystal skeletons for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the suits for the superhero Iron Man and the super-villain the Iron Monger in movie Iron Man. Stan Winston won 4 Oscars, another 17 wins and 31 nominations. He will be missed.

According to today’s Boston Globe, John Williams will be returning to contribute to the score for Jurassic Park IV.  Says the article:

Williams, now 76, was conductor of the Pops from 1980 to 1993. According to industry reports, he remains a busy man, with soundtracks for “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” “Jurassic Park IV,” and “Superman: Man of Steel” all scheduled for his touch.

No word yet on whether the film maestro will be writing new music or merely contributing themes, as he did for Jurassic Park III.  This is an exciting piece of information, should it prove true.  Not only does it mean Jurassic Park IV is still on track, but those worried about production value should rest easier knowing Williams will be involved somehow.

Sideshow Collectibles, respected purveyor of movie paraphernalia, announced two days ago the acquisition of a new franchise.  Details are lacking, but soon you too can expect to be able to purchase quality figurines, busts, and replicas from the Jurassic Park films.  Good news for fans who are tired of pretending that their Barbasol cans have embryo storage capabilities.  Wait, am I the only one?

In a recent interview with Comingsoon.net, veteran producer Frank Marshall responded to a number of questions regarding fourth installments of his popular series, including Jason Bourne, Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park. On the latest dinosaur adventure, Marshall said that while the current WGA strike is holding up script revisions, the film is still on track for a 2009 release. “There’s an idea and we just have to see if it shakes out,” he said. While it’s disappointing to hear that the script has yet to be finalized, the fact that Frank Marshall still considers the project to be greenlit should be somewhat reassuring to long-starved fans.

Oh dear, finally an update since December 2006! I hope everyone is having a great summer. I’ve got some exciting news concerning coming attractions to Mexico. The Taza Roja Company has formed a joint venture with TV Azteca and with licenses from Universal Studios to build over three Jurassic Park Exhibitions called “Jurassic Park La Experiencia“ in Mexico! They will move around for three years much like the Jurassic Park Exhibitions that have been seen in the United States back when The Lost World was nearing its release (closed back in 2000). The release of this new exhibition is set for 2009, where you will see over 100 Animatronic Dinosaurs scattered about in 8 scenes. They are currently looking for any Jurassic Park related documents, garment or replicas. If you would be interested in helping out this attraction please feel free to contact Daniel Arbitman. He’ll be more than happy to hear from you. Here are some demo flyers Arbitman was kind enough to send us:

Here is an English translation for those of you who do not read Spanish:

• It is an Educational Exhibit about the Dinosaurs and when they governed the Earth.
• A Guide of the expedition through the Jurassic Park Island lead the kids and adults through each one of the impressive scenes telling how was life millions of years ago, analyzing the different extinction theories and watching fossils found in different continents.
• Each dinosaur was built based on strict Paleontologic studies actualized year after year.
• It is a roll playing and game experience with more than 20 different robot dinosaur species created to real size and as described by many paleontologists.
• The exhibit shows all what is known about the prehistoric giants and educate about them.
• The exhibitions has Movies, Fossils, Animatronix Dinosaurs and interactive activities.