‘Jurassic World Dominion’: Jeff Goldblum Kept a Book of Improvised Lines for Ian Malcolm While Filming

Jeff Goldblum stole the hearts of many with his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park. He reprised the role in The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. He is now reuniting with the original cast and the new cast for Jurassic World Dominion and he recently shared a story about something he did while filming that is very in character for Jeff Goldblum. 

Jeff Goldblum became a fan favorite for his performance in ‘Jurassic Park’

Throughout his career, Goldblum has been associated with many of his iconic characters and with his charming and quirky personality off screen. In the original Jurassic Park, Ian Malcolm became a fan favorite not only for his hilarious dialogue but also for Goldblum’s performance. He played the role of an eccentric scientist who often found himself rambling to the point where he could even be talking to himself. 

He delivered iconic lines like “life finds a way” in such a goofy manner that fits the overall tone of the film. Later in his career, he would bring his distinct delivery and zaniness to other roles such as the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok where he basically played a caricature of himself. 

However, Goldblum is still able to deliver good dramatic performances, which is what makes him such an appealing actor to work with. He always makes a role his own, no matter what it is. 

Jeff Goldblum brought a book to the set of ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ containing alternate lines for his character

Jurassic Park fans who want to see a classic Ian Malcolm performance should be excited after some new details that Goldblum shared. In an interview with Empire, Goldblum discussed how he had a book on the set of Jurassic World Dominion containing dialogue that Goldblum could improvise. Based on the example he gave, this book is filled with plenty of Goldblum gems. 

“Oh boy, I have a ton of them,” he told Empire. “I’ll just tell you one… We’re on a computer trying to fix something or other, and somebody says, ‘Uh-oh, it’s started flashing Error 99.’ And before Mamoudou [Athie]’s character comes in and explains, I was gonna slip in, very quickly, the line, ‘Error 99? Is it Barbara Feldon?’ Now, Barbara Feldon was an agent in Get Smart, a television series from 1962 or something, who played Agent 99. So, a lot of my ideas have to do with references that are totally irrelevant and of no interest or amusement to anybody who could possibly be watching a movie, and inappropriate to the scene. But it tickled me.”

The ‘Jurassic World Dominion’ cast enjoyed seeing the actor’s improv work

Goldblum is joining a cast in Jurassic World Dominion that includes Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Neill, and Laura Dern. Howard also spoke with Empire and laughed at the dialogue that Goldblum would throw-in.

“I have never seen anyone pitch more dialogue than Jeff Goldblum,” Howard said. “He literally had this piece of paper with these incredible one-liners, and he’d cross them out through the day. You know, some of them will make it in and some of them won’t. But a scene is not a scene without a Jeff Goldblum button.”

Director Colin Trevorrow also loved the energy and comedic presence that Goldblum brought to his performance. 

“He would always bring extra things in his book that, yes, were often references to 1940s musicals, but he’s both hilarious and very powerful,” Trevorrow told Empire. “It’s not just a comedy role. It’s the power of his presence in this movie that I love the most.”

We’ll have to wait and see just how many of Goldblum’s improvisations made it into the movie. Jurassic World Dominion finds its way into theaters on June 10.