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In June 2002, director Steven Spielberg told Starlog magazine that he planned to produce Jurassic Park IV, and director Joe Johnston, who helmed Jurassic Park III, would direct it.[1] In November 2002, screenwriter William Monahan was hired to write,[2] with the film's release slated for summer 2005.[3] In July 2003, Monahan completed the first draft, with the story no longer set in the jungle.[4] Actor Sam Neill said he was returning as Dr. Alan Grant, with filming expected to begin in 2004 in California and Hawaii.[5] In September 2004, screenwriter John Sayles was re-writing the script, with the film re-slated for a winter 2005 release.[6] His second draft focused on the new character Nick Harris, who returns to Isla Nublar, the location of the first film, and retrieves Dennis Nedry's can of DNA. He is captured by the Grendel corporation, which now owns InGen, and he is hired to train five genetically modified Deinonychus as mercenaries.[7]

In October 2004, paleontologist Jack Horner said he would return as technical adviser for the fourth film as he had done for previous Jurassic Park films.[8] By April 2005, special effects artist Stan Winston explained that the delay in production was due to repeated revisions of the film's script, none of which satisfied Spielberg. According to Winston, "He felt neither of [the drafts] balanced the science and adventure elements effectively. It's a tough compromise to reach, as too much science will make the movie too talky, but too much adventure will make it seem hollow."[9] In February 2006, producer Frank Marshall said the script was done, and filming would begin in 2007 for a 2008 release.[10] In March 2007, Sam Neill said he was not asked to reprise his role as Dr. Alan Grant,[11] while Laura Dern was asked to return for the new film, which Universal still wanted to release by 2008.[12] Director Joe Johnston was also reported not to be directing the film.

SpielbergFilms has posted an update for the upcoming fourth installment of "Jurassic Park." In the past, we have heard that Laura Dern will be returning to reprise her role as Ellie Sattler, while Sam Neill has no interest in coming back. Turns out that all that are just speculations, since casting has not started yet, but will soon.

At this point, "Jurassic Park IV" is in development, including the screenplay, which has been around since February 2006. As far as Steven Spielberg, he will not spend any time on this film, until he is fully complete with "Indiana Jones IV," which he is currently filming.

Last we heard, this new screenplay that's currently being re-written, will be about the government who has trained dinosaurs to carry weapons and use them for battle purposes. Whether there is any truth to this has yet to be confirmed.

According to Bloody-Disgusting, Universal Pictures has started the casting process for the upcoming fourth installment of "Jurassic Park." At this point Laura Dern has confirmed her return as Dr. Ellie Sattler, while Sam Neill will not be coming back.

There has been a script for the film since February 2006, but whether changes have been made or a new one was put together from scratch, is unclear. Either way, what's absolutely clear, is that it is completely ridiculous. The site added that the story is about the government who has trained dinosaurs to carry weapons and use them for battle purposes.

If this is true, I can't wait to hear what Steven Spielberg has to say about his beloved franchise and how quickly it got to this point. We'll find out soon enough, since production begins in Kauai, Hawaii later this year. Stay tuned.