Sam Neill, known for his role in the original Jurassic Park films directed by Steven Spielberg, describes the newest franchise installment, Jurassic World Rebirth, as a “family affair.” The actor highlights the connection between himself and Scarlett Johansson, who stars in the film’s lead role, emphasizing the personal ties that add depth to the project. This sentiment comes as Neill reprises his iconic character Alan Grant in a new Xfinity Super Bowl commercial tied to the film.
Shared History with Scarlett Johansson
Neill and Johansson previously worked together in the 1998 film The Horse Whisperer, directed by Robert Redford, where they portrayed father and daughter. In that movie, Neill’s character Robert MacLean supports his daughter Grace, played by a young Johansson, after a tragic accident leaves her injured. Their on-screen family dynamic remains a meaningful connection as Johansson steps into the Jurassic World Rebirth cast. Neill fondly recalls the time spent filming with Johansson and other notable actors from that era, such as Kristin Scott Thomas and Robert Redford in Montana.
Neill on the New Jurassic World Rebirth Cast and Plot
Johnson continues the legacy established by actors like Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum by playing Zora Bennett, a special-ops agent tasked with retrieving dinosaur DNA from the last sanctuary housing the largest creatures of land, sea, and sky. Meanwhile, Neill, Dern, and Goldblum return to their original roles of paleontologist Alan Grant, paleobotanist Ellie Sattler, and chaos theory expert Ian Malcolm, respectively, in the Xfinity Super Bowl commercial. Directed by Taika Waititi, known for The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, the ad reimagines the Jurassic Park story with a modern twist—featuring a flawless Wi-Fi connection that keeps all park systems operational and dinosaurs safely contained so guests can enjoy the island without incident.
Behind the Scenes of the Super Bowl Commercial
The promotional spot, airing during this Sunday’s Super Bowl, was created in collaboration between Xfinity and NBCUniversal to authentically replicate the original movie’s costumes, sets, and scenes. Neill reveals none of the apparel worn in the ad was original to the first Jurassic Park. In fact, he auctioned iconic items like his Timberland boots and Dominion hat for charity.
“So they made me a new uniform. I did not keep it this time, just in case they want another reunion,”
Neill remarked to Entertainment Weekly.
“I feel like it’s a family affair here,”
Sam Neill, Actor
“We were with Kristin Scott Thomas and Robert Redford, and we were out in Montana, and I was playing her dad,”
Sam Neill, Actor
“So I feel like my daughter, she’s capable of kicking any ass. She gets it from me.”
Sam Neill, Actor
“Nothing I was wearing [in the ad] was original,”
Sam Neill, Actor
The Enduring Appeal and Future of the Franchise
As Jurassic World Rebirth renews the connection between generations of Jurassic Park actors, the family-oriented nature of the project adds a layer of emotional resonance amid the excitement surrounding the franchise’s evolution. With the Super Bowl advertisement bringing the original cast together under the direction of a fresh filmmaker like Taika Waititi, fans can expect this unique reunion to rekindle interest and anticipation for what lies ahead in the dinosaur saga.
