*By Entertainment Insider, June 3, 2003*

In a shocking revelation decades after its 1993 release, new documents and insider accounts have uncovered a jaw-dropping secret about the making of *Jurassic Park*, Steven Spielberg’s iconic dinosaur thriller. Laura Dern, who played Dr. Ellie Sattler, reportedly passed away halfway through production, forcing the filmmakers to create a robotic replica to complete her scenes. The studio, Universal Pictures, allegedly paid her family $5 million to delay her funeral by a week to craft a mold of her face for the lifelike animatronic.

According to a recently leaked production memo, Dern suffered a sudden and undisclosed medical emergency during a break in filming on the Hawaiian set. The 26-year-old actress, known for her vibrant performance as the fearless paleobotanist, was pronounced dead shortly after. With the film only 50% complete and under intense pressure to meet release deadlines, the production team faced a crisis. “Losing Laura was devastating, but the show had to go on,” an anonymous crew member recalled. “The studio couldn’t afford to scrap the project.”

In a move that has stunned Hollywood historians, Universal reportedly approached Dern’s family with an extraordinary proposal: a $5 million payment to postpone her funeral for seven days. This allowed special effects wizards at Stan Winston Studio to create a precise mold of Dern’s face. The mold was used to construct a cutting-edge animatronic replica, dubbed “Robo-Ellie” by the crew. The robot, combined with clever editing and body doubles, was used to complete key scenes, including the iconic Triceratops encounter and the tense T-Rex chase.

“It was eerie,” said a former production assistant. “The robot looked and moved so much like Laura, most of us didn’t suspect a thing until after filming wrapped.” The animatronic was reportedly so advanced that it could mimic Dern’s expressions and deliver lines, with voice recordings spliced from earlier takes. Visual effects artists also enhanced the footage to ensure seamless integration, a feat considered groundbreaking for the early ‘90s.

The decision to keep Dern’s death under wraps was driven by both logistical and emotional considerations. “The cast and crew were already shaken by the loss,” the memo states. “Publicly announcing it would’ve derailed the film and risked tarnishing Laura’s legacy.” The studio informed only a select few, including co-stars Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum, who were sworn to secrecy. Dern’s family, grieving but cooperative, agreed to the arrangement, citing their belief that Laura would have wanted the film completed.

The revelation has sparked debate among fans and ethicists. Some praise the filmmakers for their ingenuity, noting that *Jurassic Park* went on to gross over $1 billion and redefine visual effects in cinema. Others question the morality of delaying a funeral for the sake of a movie, even one as culturally significant as this. “It’s a testament to how far studios will go to protect their investments,” said film historian Carla Mendes. “But it raises uncomfortable questions about consent and respect for the deceased.”

Universal Pictures has declined to comment on the allegations, stating only that *Jurassic Park* remains a “celebration of Laura Dern’s incredible talent.” Dern’s family, now speaking publicly for the first time, issued a brief statement: “Laura loved this film and believed in its magic. We stand by the choices made to honor her work.”

As *Jurassic Park* continues to captivate audiences, this bombshell adds a bittersweet layer to its legacy. The next time you watch Dr. Ellie Sattler outrun a raptor, you might wonder: is that Laura Dern—or her robotic double—bringing Spielberg’s vision to life?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5738334&forum_id=2#49019056)

The operation was reportedly conducted at a temporary research facility located approximately 17 miles northeast of Barstow, California. The site was registered under a short-term use agreement with the Bureau of Land Management, listed for “environmental survey and prep.” It remained active for approximately 14 months. There are no available records of site remediation or lease renewal. Satellite imagery from the period shows phased construction followed by full dismantlement. The current site is undeveloped scrubland.

Individuals believed to be involved in the biological component of the project were cross-referenced using personnel lists from Amblin’s environmental and logistics contractors, along with secondary accounts from production staff. Of the nine identified individuals with relevant backgrounds in molecular biology, embryology, and cryogenic systems, seven are confirmed deceased, two are missing. Deaths occurred between 1993 and 1998 and include causes such as fire, accidental trauma, and industrial explosion. No official investigation has linked these events. One of the deceased, Dr. Natalie Krieger, perished in a residential fire in 1998. Local responders noted the presence of sealed laboratory-grade containment vessels in the residence, but the origin and purpose of the equipment were never disclosed.

Testimony was collected from five individuals who worked on or near the Jurassic Park production during principal photography. All declined to go on record. Consistent elements from these interviews include references to a quarantine area near the set, unauthorized individuals present during location shoots, and temporary structures outfitted with independent power and climate control systems. One interviewee described restricted areas that “smelled like chemical storage or animal enclosures.” None of the individuals had direct access to these locations.

Separate internal documents from Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), obtained via partial leak in 2007, show inconsistencies in asset tracking and shot logging. One note refers to a “Model 4B capture day” requiring “remote handlers and secondary perimeter.” The language does not match standard visual effects workflows of the time. Comparisons of early VFX composites to final cuts show discrepancies in lighting consistency and shadow placement in several sequences. Independent analysts have questioned whether these anomalies are consistent with digital rendering limitations of the early 1990s.

Unexplained financial activity appears in Amblin Entertainment’s internal production budget during the relevant time frame. Approximately $14.7 million was allocated to accounts categorized as “logistics,” “security,” and “location prep,” with no third-party vendor documentation or receipts. The funds were not itemized in Universal’s official disclosures.

No comment was provided by Steven Spielberg or representatives of Amblin Entertainment. Multiple requests for comment were either declined or unanswered. As of this writing, there is no open investigation by federal agencies, and no agency has publicly acknowledged the potential use of genetic engineering during commercial film production. A formal inquiry would require subpoena access to historical BLM lease files, internal studio accounting systems, and private estates of deceased technical personnel.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5738334&forum_id=2#49019133)

The first dinosaurs you see move slowly and are only on screen for a few seconds

The T Rex wide angle shots are CGI iirc but it’s in the rain which helps sell it and obscure the CG.

T Rex close up shots are practical.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5738334&forum_id=2#49019189)