SUBMITTED BY Fred Hill

July 18, 2006 —

SpielbergFilms.com was able to sit down with Mr. Spielberg in Chicago after the Chicago International Film Festival's (CIFF) Tribute to Steven Spielberg. He was asked a couple of questions about Jurassic Park 4, and put at least one rumor to rest.

Awalt: Understandable. Online, there's been talk about Breck Eisner on 'Jurassic Park IV.'

Spielberg: That's not true. Joe Johnston is standing by.

Awalt: First dibs on it?

Spielberg: First dibs on it, and Joe is my go-to 'Jurassic' guy now.

Awalt: There's been talk about Joe Johnston that says he took the negative flack about 'Jurassic Park III,' and said in public that any faults with the film are his faults. There was talk that you didn't care for the film, but it was profitable, and I've never heard you badmouth it in public, and I doubt you would, but...

Spielberg: Oh no, I don't feel that way at all! I think the film is witty and clever, and I think Joe did an amazing job putting together those battles. And I think those battles Joe put together...I was jealous of the spinosaurus attack on the airplane! That scene where the spinosaurus attacks the airplane and the passengers inside the airplane was every bit as good as I thought the main road attack in 'Jurassic Park' was. So I'm a huge fan of Joe's, and he's the right guy to do the fourth one.

Click here for the full interview.