Jurassic World Rebirth: Spinosaurus
| Medium | Pastel Pencil and Colored Pencil on Toned Paper |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 x 6in |
| Date | April 2025 |
Drawing of a Spinosaurus from the upcoming film Jurassic World Rebirth, created with Faber-Castell pastel pencils and Prismacolor Verithin colored pencils on 8 x 6in Strathmore toned tan paper.
I have somewhat mixed feelings about the design of the Spinosaurus, a spectacular theropod (and my personal favorite) that has not been shown alive on the big screen since Jurassic Park III. Given the limited representation of Spinosaurus in the fossil record at the time of the film, anatomical inaccuracies were inevitable (the single, central crest being replaced with a crest above each eye, the pronated wrists, the excessively muscular build, etc.). But the level of artistic license applied was quite reasonable and maintains a general aesthetic that is consistent with its other theropod predecessors.
Since then, however, new discoveries have significantly changed our perception of Spinosaurus. Modern reconstructions now depict it as a long, slender, semi-aquatic theropod with short hindlimbs, a large, M-shaped sail, and a laterally-flattened, paddle-like tail.
While I commend the Jurassic World Rebirth design for attempting to create a more anatomically-accurate Spinosaurus, the distinctive profile of the head and the long, slender neck that characterizes the genus both seem conspicuously absent. Combined with the loss of that general aesthetic that made its predecessor so beautiful and iconic, if also somewhat inaccurate, I am less enthusiastic about this design. Regardless, Spinosaurus is an impressive animal, and I am excited to see it featured once more on the big screen.
As for the upcoming film, all I can say is...
Please be good! Please be good! Please be good!