Daily Dialogue — October 11, 2010

[about the velociraptors]
Dr. Alan Grant: What’s their growth rate?
Muldoon: They’re lethal at eight months, and I do mean lethal. I’ve hunted most things that can hunt you, but the way these things move…
Dr. Alan Grant: Fast for a biped?
Muldoon: Cheetah speed. Fifty, sixty miles an hour if they ever got out into the open, and they’re astonishing jumpers…
John Hammond: Yes, yes, yes. That’s why we’re taking extraordinary precautions.
[to Ellie]
John Hammond: The viewing area is over there, and…
Dr. Alan Grant: Do they show intelligence?
Muldoon: They show extraordinary intelligence, even problem-solving. Especially the big one. We bred eight originally, but when she came in she took over the pride and killed all but two of the others. That one… when she looks at you, you can tell she’s working things out. 

 — Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Muldoon (Bob Peck), John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), Jurassic Park (1993), screenplay by Michael Crichton and David Koepp, based on the novel by Michael Crichton

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is exposition, suggested by The Unknown Lyricist. Jurassic Park suggested via Twitter by @KageyNYC.

Trivia: Michael Crichton’s agents circulated the book to six studios and directors. Warner Brothers wanted it for Tim Burton to direct while Columbia was planning it for Richard Donner. Fox was also interested and was intending the project for Joe Dante, while Universal wanted ‘Steven Spielberg’ to direct. Crichton was reluctant to submit to a bidding war, He instructed his agents to put a set price on the film rights and he could decide who was more likely to actually get the film made. After interviewing all the prospective directors, he agreed to sell the rights to Universal and Steven Spielberg, who was already his first choice.