More info from the Premier Magazine article on JP2, thanks to Wiserman:

• The movie came in under budget - below $74 million - and six days ahead of schedule.
• In Jurassic Park, there were CGI shots, there were live-action shots, and there were puppet shots, all of them distinct and separate. This time, however, they have blended two media - i.e. CGI and live action - into a single shot, creating a seamless motion where you can't see any difference. This accounts for an even more realistic effect than Jurassic Park offered.
• Spielberg most likely won't direct JP3. "If The Lost World is successful enough to justify a third film, you'll probably see me executive producing it, but you won't see me directing it."
• Spielberg also announced in the article that he will re-release E.T. in 2002 and try to take back its #1 place on the box-office charts. It will contain five new scenes that Spielberg loved but were cut from the film.

Someone on the Java Chat yesterday said that the reason for the Dr. Burke (pictured on the official site) character might be that Spielberg is a little peeved at the person Dr. Burke is obviously based on, Dr. Robert Bakker. Supposedly, Dr. Bakker tells people and has written in his book (Raptor Red) that he consulted on Jurassic Park, when in reality, he did not.

There was a very short segment on all the summer movies, JP2 among them, during yesterday's "Showbiz Today" on CNN. Jeff Goldblum: "It's going to be good...and I think it's going to give people everything they hoped it would be and more."

Jonathan Judd has created a very nice JP/JP2 theme for Windows 95 complete with icons, sounds, and wallpaper! Download it here. Thanks to Ryan Salmon for the server space.

More tid-bits from this month's issue of Premier Magazine (with Spielberg on the cover): [thanks to Wiserman]

• The magazine confirmed that two "badly dented Union 76 balls" were sitting next to the Universal lot.
• The scene in Hammond's bedroom was filmed at the Mayfield Senior School--the scene's purpose is for Hammond to convince Malcolm, now a homeless bum, to return to the island. When Malcolm hears that his girlfriend, Harding, has gone alone, he screams: "It's not a research expedition, it's a rescue mission!"
• There will be 75 CGI shots in this movie (JURASSIC PARK had 59)
• Pete Stormare will play Dietar Stark.
• Production designer Rick Carter: "This world is lost and the people in this movie are trying very hard to protect that which they believe in...luckily, they succeed."
• The magazine also mentioned that Harvey Jason would be playing Ajay Sidhu.
• Correction: The "dinos on the boat" information I said was "confirmed" yesterday is stated as being "only a rumor" in Premier. However, if you will remember, it has been confirmed on my site twice. First, someone e-mailed me awhile back and stated that a crew "had to destroy the hold of ship to look like a T-Rex had done it." Second, another source said that a "big-ass boat" was involved with the end of the movie.

'Mr. Goodbytes' wanted to add some info from the InGen Intranet on the official site: "Several of InGen's departments are complaining about a lack of budget money and one employee was even suspicious of the Security Dept. siphoning money off for their own use. Could this have something to do with the trip to round up the dinos? Also it appears at InGen's new waterfront complex they want to build a daycare center next to the hatchery. One employee was concerned about this."

'spinozalyceum' has sent along some more release dates: Look for JP2 in Holland on June 18th. Korea will get to see the movie on April 4th (98), and China will recive the movie on December 29th. (Like most of the release dates on my page, these release dates are unconfirmed and are subject to change)

E-mail John for his very large list of JP merchendise that he is selling.

Don't forget to vote in the new poll! Also--looking for JP2 merchandise? Check out The Shop for discounts!

Chris Walls e-mailed to remind me that this month's issue of Fangoria Magazine should hit newsstands today with an article on JP2.

This month's issue of Premier Magazine is now on sale across the nation.. It contains a very informative 5 page article on Steven Spielberg and The Lost World. Among the details in the article is that Arliss Howard will indeed be playing Peter Ludlow, and that we will get to learn more about Ian's "personal life" in this film. The article is also reported to contain several nice pictures...if anyone can scan them in, it would be appreciated. Other tid-bits from the article:

• Spielberg: "JP had no real villains...I don't think you ever felt the terror very deeply, because of the Hollywood veneer. In TLW, there are darker intentions and darker problems..This movie is much more about the failure of people to find restraints within themselves, and the failure of the morality to protect these animals."
• [After JP1], the government has hushed up the unhappy adventures on Isla Nublar and all but Malcolm kept quiet. No one believes his story and his career is in ruins as a result.
• There will be an adult and baby stegosaurus, a pachycephalosaurus, and a dead parasaurolophus in the film.
• The biggest problem Spielberg faced when directing JP2? "[it was hard to get the audience to believe] why these characters, who wouldn't ever imagine themselves returning to the nightmare alley, decide to go back. That takes a lot of chatting to explain the second island, what justifies Malcolm going back?" His solution: Hammond tells Malcolm he persuaded Sarah Harding to go and observe the dinos. She happens to be Malcolm's girlfriend and he is horrified. Malcolm: "You sent my girlfriend to the island alone? It's not a research expedition, it's a rescue mission!"
• There will be a long "exposition scene" early in the movie to explain why dinos are still roaming about an island off Costa Rica, when were assured in JP that the "Lysine factor" kicked in.
• Once everyone discovers the dinos are still intact on Site B, the bad guys are intent on capturing and exploiting the remaining dinos, while Hammond wished to protect them and study them. Malcolm (to Hammond): "How did you manage to go from capitalist to naturalist in 4 years?"
• Spielberg says that while "[Michael Crichton's] setup was excellent and he certainly put us on the right road", much of TLW: The novel was tossed.
• In the 3rd act, the bad guys will transport the dinos to the mainland in an elaborately designed Rex-proof boat.
• A fan of Spielberg sent a letter that pleaded for "[no more] long, boring parts at the beginning that have nothing to do with the island". Spielberg's agrees: "No more cat-and-mouse games!"

In the General Mills 48 oz triple-pack (Cocoa puffs, Lucky Charms, and Trix), you get three sheets of LW stickers. (thanks to Scott Smith)

Timberland, makers of "premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children" announced yesterday that they would be making various LW clothes items. In a very vague press-release, the president of Timberland stated that "Our involvement in the film is a natural fit. The movie is set in the rugged outdoors -- that's Timberland territory; and with The Lost World: Jurassic Park we're reaching our consumers in an exciting, high profile and relevant way." The company will also sponsor a contest where consumers will be asked to answer the question, "You've been transported back in time to the Jurassic Period. What are the top 5 items on your Gotta-Have-It-To-Survive list?". You can enter at your favorite Timberland reseller. (thanks to KBusby2256)

Last week's Poll Results: Last week I asked, "Considering everything you've heard about JP2 so far, what do you think JP2 will be like, compared to the first movie?". The results were a little surprising to me--35% said that JP2 would be "Much better than JP1", while a little more than half of the people who voted said that it would be "Better than JP1". Only 4% said it would be "not as good as JP1". And only one disgruntled individual (or maybe a die-hard pessimist) voted that JP2 would be "MUCH worse than JP1".

This week's poll: "What is your favorite dinosaur?". Not much to say about that...Thanks to everyone who sent me dino-names to include in the poll. Now go vote!

Ryan Salmon has found a program that lets you play .MOV or .AVI files as your screen-saver. Now us JP Freaks can set the JP2 trailer to come on whenever we walk away from the computer. Download it here (for PC only)

Amazingly enough, Matt has heard from his local Suncoast Motion Picture Company that they have the hologram poster in stock, and are selling it for $16.99-$19.99! You may want to call before you go, however, just in case they don't have it.

Look for a JP2 article with pictures (none of them new, however), in the April edition of Empire Magazine. (the one with Luke Skywalker on the front). (Thanks to Chris Baker)

The new JP2 trailer is being shown with most new movies--sonja reports seeing it with "The Saint".

Okay, it just made my day when Max Szoc sent a report that there will be a JP2 game for the Sega Genesis! YES!!! Here are some screenshots: (from gameinformer.com)

Max also sent along some pictures from the Sega Saturn version of the JP2 game (also from gameinformer.com), which looks like it might be a little different than the Playstation title.

Krunker sent along a few merchandise pictures--the first is from the Nick Van Owen action figure box. The second picture is of most of the Kenner figures that you can buy:

If you haven't noticed yet, the Message Board malfunctioned yesterday and the messages from the last two days had to be deleted. I am still investigating the reason for this problem, and will make sure it doesn't occur again. I am *very* sorry for any inconvenience.

New! Browse through The Shop for bargains on Jurassic Park, The Lost World, and Michael Crichton merchandise! You can even order online!