By the time Jurassic Park hit theaters in 1993, Steven Spielberg had already done the impossible, twice in one year. Not only did he deliver a blockbuster that changed visual effects forever, but he also released Schindler’s List, a film that earned him some of the highest praise of his career.
With Jurassic Park becoming a massive hit, sequels were an obvious next step. But Spielberg didn’t rush to direct the franchise. His decision to step back from directing surprised many. Here is why he did so!
Why Steven Spielberg did not return to direct Jurassic Park sequels!
The original Jurassic Park in 1993 wasn’t just a hit, it changed history forever! Audiences had never seen anything like it. It was fresh, bold, and iconic. Naturally, expectations were sky-high for any follow-up.
When Steven Spielberg returned to direct The Lost World: Jurassic Park in 1997, the excitement was there, but the magic didn’t land quite the same. Though the sequel performed well financially, it didn’t connect with audiences or critics on the same level. Spielberg himself seemed aware that lightning doesn’t always strike twice, and while The Lost World had its moments, it wasn’t the cultural landmark its predecessor had been.
So, when it came time for a third film, Spielberg made a choice and he stepped aside. After the mixed reception of the second installment and the exhausting process of directing two massive productions, he decided not to return for round three.
He understood that pushing forward just to keep the franchise going might only dilute what made the first film special, plus he was pretty exhausted, as per the Chicago Tribune. So, instead of directing the third movie himself, Spielberg handed it over to Joe Johnston, a filmmaker he trusted.
Topping Jurassic Park was always going to be an uphill battle. The original was simply just too good, it struck such a rare balance. The sequels, however, lost that balance. Characters became flatter and less relatable, often written without depth or believable flaws.
On the dinosaur front, it was a whole other debate that is better not to get into right now. Instead of acting like animals, they began to behave more like villains. The more the sequels leaned into flashy action and less into grounded storytelling, the further they drifted from what made the original so special. Big chases and bigger explosions took center stage, but the heart and tension got left behind.
Steven Spielberg did not let go of the Park completely!
Even after handing over directing duties, Steven Spielberg didn’t exactly walk away from the Jurassic Park universe. He may have stepped out of the spotlight, but he stayed behind the scenes, holding on to executive producer credits for every film in the franchise, including the Jurassic World series.
Although he didn’t direct Jurassic Park III, Spielberg wasn’t just a name in the credits. He visited the set, gave input, and even suggested ways to punch up a few scenes. According to crew members, he couldn’t resist offering direction when inspiration struck.
The truth is, Spielberg had already built the playground. He changed blockbuster filmmaking with Jaws, then raised the bar again with Jurassic Park. He didn’t need to keep proving himself with every sequel. The foundation was his, and the madness that followed was a part of what he started.
So while fans still debate which sequel holds up and which one went off the rails, Spielberg was a consistent figure through it all in the franchise.
Jurassic Park is currently available on Peacock to stream.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
