Jurassic Park 4 News

The first one was cinematic history, the second one was so-so, and the third one was, well, did you bother to see Jurassic Park 3?

Not me. But that's neither here nor there. Joe Johnston, the director of Jurassic Park 3, has recently opened up about the possibility for a fourth trip to dinosaur island.

"There is a great story for the fourth one that I would be interested in getting involved with and it's nothing like the first three," Johnston told Ain't It Cool News, "It sort of takes the franchise off in a completely different direction, which is the only way I would want to get involved."

Johnston added that the film probably wouldn't be on an island this time:

"Why would anybody go back to that island?" Johnston said. "It was hard enough to figure out the second and third reason for them to go, but it would take it off in a whole other trilogy basically, but when it gets to that level it's sort of about studios and Steven [Spielberg's] thing and who knows. I think we are at that point where we are due for another one if we are going to do it."

Universal has yet to set a date for Jurassic Park 4.

Thank goodness.

According to producer, Kathleen Kennedy - who is behind the latest Brad Pitt vehicle, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - plans have fallen through for a fourth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise.

When asked if there was any development on the long-anticipated sequel, Kennedy replied:

"No... I don't know. You know, when Crichton passed away, I sorta felt maybe that's it. Maybe that's a sign that we don't mess with it."

Amazingly, depressingly, Jurassic Park 4 appears to be a done deal.

But does that mean viewers will be treated to a Dr. Ian Malcom sighting in the film? The character, played by Jeff Goldblum, starred in the first two installments of the franchise and was mentioned in the third.

“I don’t know about [the fourth],” Goldblum told MTV News. “I don’t know what the future holds. My plate is full right now [since joining the cast of Law and Order: Criminal Intent].”

However, once the actor began reminiscing about working with Steven Spielberg, who directed the first two Jurassic Park movies, produced the third, and is producing the fourth, the actor made an appearance seem more likely, schedule permitting.

“It’s all coming back to me now,” Goldblum said. “I loved doing the other two, and I loved working with Steven. I had a great time… And ostensibly I have time off [from Law and Order] and I could do other films."

We're all for Indiana Jones 4. Can't wait to see what this crystal skull kingdom is all about.

But Jurassic Park 4?!? While we'd hoped that idea would be as extinct at the dinosaurs, Laura Dern has hinted at the strong possibility of yet another film in this franchise.

The actress, who has portrayed Dr. Ellie Sattler in the series, recently told TV Guide Magazine that the movie appears to be a go:

"It's a while away but my understanding is it's happening and my character is very involved. I know [director] Steven Spielberg is looking forward to [getting it together] over the next year," Dern said

Would you go see Jurassic Park 4?