In a twist that's electrifying Jurassic Park fans worldwide, Sam Neill has revealed his genuine shock at discovering his iconic character Dr. Alan Grant lives on in Jurassic World Rebirth—and the timing couldn't be more perfect, as he reunites with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum in a hilarious Super Bowl ad that's already breaking the internet.
The 2025 blockbuster Jurassic World Rebirth features a game-changing Easter egg: Jonathan Bailey's character, Dr. Henry Loomis, is revealed to have studied under Grant. Neill, in an exclusive chat with TheEntBase tied to his Xfinity Super Bowl commercial, confessed, "I was surprised. It's nice when these things refer to each other, and I thought that was respectful and good." This nod isn't just a throwaway line—director Gareth Edwards confirmed it's the only reference to a previous Jurassic character in the new film, with a hidden patch on Loomis's bag depicting Snakewater Canyon, the original dig site from 1993's Jurassic Park.
Sam Neill in the viral Xfinity Super Bowl ad, where Wi-Fi saves Jurassic Park. Comcast and NBCUniversal
But here's the kicker: Neill's reaction is dropping just as he stars in Xfinity's Super Bowl commercial, which has fans in a frenzy. The ad reunites the original trio—Neill, Dern, and Goldblum—in a laugh-out-loud reimagining of Jurassic Park where reliable Wi-Fi prevents the park's collapse. Dern reprises Ellie Sattler, Goldblum returns as Ian Malcolm, and they revisit classic scenes like the T. rex exhibit and raptor attack with a tech-savvy twist. "It's like a family reunion with dinosaurs," Neill quipped, adding that he hasn't met Bailey yet but is eager to, especially since Bailey was recently crowned PEOPLE magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.
Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Henry Loomis in 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' carrying Grant's legacy. Jasin Boland/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment
Jurassic World Rebirth stars Bailey alongside Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, who play characters hired to extract dinosaur DNA. Neill couldn't resist a playful jab at Johansson, his on-screen daughter from 1998's The Horse Whisperer: "I feel like my daughter, she's capable of kicking any ass. She gets it from me." This blend of nostalgia and new blood is setting social media ablaze, with fans calling it the ultimate bridge between generations.
Why is this going viral? It's a perfect storm: a beloved actor's heartfelt reaction to his legacy, a Super Bowl ad that's pure nostalgia gold, and a film detail that's sparking theories about Grant's unseen influence. As Neill puts it, "It's a respectful surprise"—and one that's proving Jurassic Park's magic is far from extinct.
