So, can you resist the high-energy action of Jurassic Park, a cinematic marvel that not only shaped our childhoods but also stands out as a jewel in Steven Spielberg’s illustrious filmography?
The 1993 film, based on a screenplay by Michael Crichton and David Koepp, is undeniably entertaining, with those awe-inspiring dinosaurs romping through the primordial landscapes of our imaginations. Did we forget to mention the remote, scary island of Isla Nublar?
While the film is a masterpiece that integrates innovative visual effects & gripping storytelling, there is a lesser-known tidbit that adds a layer of human intrigue to the story. Behind the scenes, Sam Neill, our beloved Dr. Alan Grant, grappled with what he described as “an actor’s nightmare”: the quest for the perfect American accent.
Based on Michael Crichton’s 1990 novel of the same title, the film starred a number of actors, including Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Richard Attenborough.
Sam Neill’s Candid Reflections on Working with Steven Spielberg in Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is a classic film that has won the affection of viewers for decades. Not surprisingly, this Academy Award-winning flick is regarded as one of Steven Spielberg’s best works, thanks to its bewitching special effects & intense action sequences. However, not everything was smooth sailing on set, especially for lead actor Sam Neill.
In a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair, the film’s lead actor, Sam Neill, revealed the struggles he faced while working in Jurassic Park. Spielberg had initially tasked him with perfecting an American accent for the role of Dr. Alan Grant. After a month of intense training, Neill was told to ditch the accent and just use his natural voice. The actor shared:
[Spielberg] came up to me halfway through the day and he said, ‘Hey, Sam, you know the accent we were talking about?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’ve been working on it for four weeks…’
Just when he thought he had it all figured out, Spielberg threw him a curveball and asked for something in between:
He [Spielberg] said, ‘Don’t worry about it, just use your own voice.’
The Jurassic World Dominion actor further exclaimed:
It’s an actor’s nightmare! So that’s why I get a lot of flak to this day: Sam Neill’s American accent in Jurassic Park was a load of T-Rex poo.
It is obvious that Spielberg’s initial direction changes hindered Neill’s ability to give the performance his all. Despite some hiccups, Jurassic Park remains a fan favorite to this day. It became a global smash hit, earning over $1.058 billion against a $63 million budget (Box Office Mojo).
How Sam Neill Secured His Iconic Role in Jurassic Park
Sam Neill will always be remembered as Dr. Alan Grant, the paleontologist from the Jurassic Park film series, regardless of how many roles he has played in his wildly successful career. But did you know that at the height of his 1980s glory, the actor was on the cusp of becoming the world’s most suave spy, 007?
In a Fox News interview, Neill, 76, recalled how awful and embarrassing the audition process was for the role. Also, he expressed greater relief and described the day of the audition as “probably the worst day of my life”:
I’m breaking out in a flop sweat. I’d just arrived in England, I had a new agent who said ‘Darling, I think you’re perfect for James Bond’. I said ‘I don’t really want to be James Bond, I don’t see myself as James Bond — I’d hate to be stuck in that [franchise].’
As the casting director asked him to take off his shirt so they could rehearse lines for a romantic scene, the actor continued, saying that things got even worse during the audition. Neill said:
They said, ‘Can you take your shirt off for this scene? It’s a bed scene.’ I’m not a gym guy … I’m a weedy guy! I’m not the Daniel Craig muscly guy. I did not take my shirt off.
He was, of course, not successful in getting the role of Special Agent 007, which is lucky for him because he would have been stuck in the same franchise for a long time if he had.
Well, everything in the history of cinema appears to have found its rightful place. Shortly after, Sam Neill was cast as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. While one can readily envision a different ‘what if’, not much was lost because the actor, himself, was not particularly intrigued by the concept.
Jurassic Park is streaming on FuboTV.
