With the Jurassic World series ending and fans wondering what comes next, it’s interesting to note a character many forgot has actually been part of the story for 24 years. The Jurassic films are known for being unpredictable, and even minor details have often hinted at bigger possibilities and storylines that deserved further exploration.
A great example of an unresolved storyline can be seen in Jurassic Park III, like the uncertain future of Billy Brennan after his near-death experience. However, one often-overlooked character from that film, Paul Kirby, may have actually gotten a happy ending. Hints of his fate have been quietly woven throughout the series, subtly revealing his story all along.
What Happened to Jurassic Park III’s Forgotten Hero?
Although Alan Grant was presented as the main hero in Jurassic Park III, Paul Kirby, a seemingly ordinary tile store owner from Oklahoma, was actually a quiet hero. Initially used for comic relief, Paul proved to be much more capable than expected. Interestingly, he’s one of the few characters from the Jurassic Park sequels to have a follow-up mentioned after the events of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, giving us a glimpse into his later life. Ultimately, Paul’s story is a compelling one that often gets overlooked due to limited screen time and the focus on other characters.
At first, William H. Macy’s character, Paul, introduces himself as the unusual billionaire who started Kirby Enterprises, and he hires Alan Grant to be a guide for what seems like a simple sightseeing trip over Isla Sorna. However, after their plane crashes on the island—caused by a run-in with a Spinosaurus—the truth comes out. Paul isn’t a wealthy business owner at all; he actually runs a small paint and tile company, and the large check he offered Grant bounces.
Paul and his ex-wife, Amanda, risked everything to save their son, who was trapped on an island with Amanda’s boyfriend, Ben. Paul found the strength to overcome the island’s many dangers, determined to protect his family. In the final scene, as they flew away, they spotted escaped pterodons, and Amanda jokingly challenged them to build a nest in her hometown of Enid, Oklahoma.
The fate of the Kirby family remains largely unknown. Official sources and related materials hint that Masrani Global, while rebuilding Jurassic Park, secretly conducted illegal cloning, violating the Gene Guard Act. The Kirbys were among those who survived and shared their experiences on Isla Sorna, but their stories were suppressed so Masrani could move forward with its resort on Isla Nublar.
Within the expanded story of the Jurassic Park Adventures books, Eric achieved fame as a writer by publishing his life story, and Paul went back to managing his family’s paint and tile business. The books also suggest that Paul and Amanda had a stronger relationship after their experiences on Isla Sorna. But it wasn’t until after 2022, following the events of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, that fans got an unexpected look at what the future might hold for Paul Kirby.
The 2022 online campaign, Dinotracker, let people investigate supposed dinosaur sightings as if they were happening in the real world. Fans noticed a clever reference to Jurassic Park III within the campaign’s content. A video of a Compsognathus filmed in Oregon included a sticker for “Kirby Enterprises”—the fictional company from the movie. It seemed the company had come to life, and to make it official, its new logo featured a pterosaur.
Fans have come up with a lot of ideas about how Paul suddenly became successful. Some think he was secretly paid off by Simon Masrani, others believe Amanda inherited a fortune from her ex-boyfriend, and a few jokingly suggest he’s working as a dinosaur security expert after his experience on Isla Sorna. Whatever the reason, fans were thrilled to see Kirby Enterprises thriving, finally giving Paul Kirby the attention he deserved after years of being overlooked in the movies and by audiences.
Why Paul Kirby is Jurassic Park III’s Underrated Protagonist
It’s surprising that Paul Kirby is so well-liked, considering Jurassic Park III isn’t a fan favorite. He wasn’t a flashy character like Ian Malcolm, but a genuinely caring father who faced his fears to rescue his son. Though he wasn’t in the movie for long, Paul Kirby stands out as one of the most overlooked heroes in the series, often overshadowed by the main characters and the movie’s fast pace.
Jurassic Park III tried to do a lot at once. The film dealt with Alan Grant coping with past trauma, Billy Brennan’s reckless actions involving Velociraptor eggs, and Eric’s struggle to survive, all while still delivering the dinosaur action fans expected—including a new, even bigger threat in the Spinosaurus. However, trying to balance all these elements meant the characters, especially the Kirby family, weren’t developed as fully as they could have been.
You know, reading those books really gave me a new appreciation for Eric’s dad, Paul. Eric always remembered him as this down-to-earth guy, happy with the simple things – a new tractor, a camping trip, that sort of thing. He basically lived by the motto “expect the worst, hope for the best,” and honestly, that really grounded Eric when he was stuck out on Site B. He seemed pretty normal, even a bit funny sometimes, but then you realize just how incredibly brave he was. I mean, the guy faced down one of the biggest dinosaurs ever to protect his family – that takes guts!
Paul Kirby wasn’t a hero or a genius like some of the other characters in the franchise, and that’s what made him so unique. He wasn’t pretending to be someone he wasn’t; he was a regular guy, a father who simply wanted the best for his family. While his company, Kirby Paint and Tile Plus – and its memorable jingle – might have been a bit of a joke, it also made Paul one of the most down-to-earth and easy-to-connect-with characters in the series.
As a huge movie fan, I always loved William H. Macy’s performance – he really made Paul Kirby feel like a genuine, relatable guy, someone a little lost but incredibly determined. I know a lot of us were hoping to see characters like Sarah Harding or the Murphy siblings return, but there’s something really special about knowing Paul’s story didn’t end there. The little clues dropped throughout the films suggest he didn’t just survive, but actually built a good life for himself, and finally got the recognition he deserved for everything he went through.
Why Paul Kirby Deserves His Happily Ever After After Jurassic Park III
Jurassic Park IIIJurassic WorldDinotracker
The Kirby family’s story in Jurassic Park III beautifully illustrates some of the franchise’s core ideas. Their experiences demonstrate how difficult times can strengthen family bonds and remind us to value the people we love. The film also offers a hopeful message about fresh starts, suggesting that even after chaos and fear, it’s possible to move forward and find new beginnings.
For fans, the sticker was all the proof they needed – a quiet but powerful sign that Paul Kirby and his family had found a way to heal and rebuild their lives. Though deeply impacted by their experiences, they persevered and created a new future, becoming a symbol of resilience within a series known for its focus on survival.
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2026-03-09 19:07