James Cameron Reveals He Almost Directed an R-Rated ‘Jurassic Park’

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James Cameron, known for directing blockbuster franchises like Terminator and Avatar, recently shared that he almost directed Jurassic Park. Originally, Michael Crichton wrote the story as a screenplay, and when he turned it into a novel, Steven Spielberg learned about the idea. Spielberg, famous for Jaws, ultimately got the chance to direct the film, creating a cinematic classic. However, if Crichton and Spielberg hadn’t had a close relationship, Cameron likely would have been the one to bring Jurassic Park to the big screen.

In an interview with Empire magazine (reported by Discussing Film), James Cameron revealed he was once considered to direct Jurassic Park. However, his take on the film would have been quite different from Steven Spielberg’s. While Spielberg struck a great balance between excitement and scares, creating a thrilling but still family-friendly PG-13 movie, Cameron says he would have made a much more intense, R-rated version.

He was the perfect choice for the job. I would have gone too far with it – made it way too intense and graphic. It would have been like ‘Aliens,’ but with dinosaurs instead.

I remember when Jurassic Park roared into theaters in the summer of ’93. It was an instant hit, and honestly, a huge relief for Spielberg after the mixed reception to Hook a couple of years prior. But beyond that, it wasn’t just a good movie, it was revolutionary. The way it blended computer-generated imagery with practical animatronics… it truly felt like something impossible had been accomplished. Seeing those dinosaurs on screen, they weren’t just effects; they felt alive, and incredibly real.

When Jurassic Park was released, it immediately became the highest-grossing movie ever, earning $914 million worldwide. However, just a few years later, James Cameron directed a film that earned even more. Titanic not only broke the $1 billion mark—a first for any movie—but also became the new all-time box office champion in 1997. It held that record until Cameron himself surpassed it with Avatar in 2009.

James Cameron’s Version of ‘Jurassic Park’ Would Have Been “Nastier”


Universal

James Cameron has mentioned wanting to make a Jurassic Park movie before Steven Spielberg got the chance. Back in 2012, at the opening of a Titanic exhibit, Cameron discussed his ideas for bringing dinosaurs back to life. It’s safe to say his take on the story would have been more intense, and it’s fun to wonder how his version would have turned out.

I attempted to secure the rights to the book, but someone else got to it just a few hours before I did. After seeing the finished film, I understood why it was better in his hands. He created a dinosaur movie geared towards children, while my vision involved aliens and dinosaurs – a combination that wouldn’t have been suitable for the same audience.

While dinosaurs are often thought of as something for young children, everyone can appreciate them, and it was a mistake to think kids shouldn’t be included. The director had a good feel for the movie, but I would have pushed the boundaries even further, making it much darker and more intense.

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2025-11-24 21:34