Sam Neill's Jurassic Reunion: From 'Horse Whisperer' Father to Dino-Hunting Daughter in Explosive New Film

BY Julian Vance • FEBRUARY 3 2026 AT 2:15 PM ET

Credit: Sam Neill in 'Jurassic World Dominion'; Scarlett Johansson in 'Jurassic World Rebirth'. Credit: Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment; Jasin Boland/Universal

Sam Neill, the legendary face of Jurassic Park, reveals that the upcoming blockbuster Jurassic World Rebirth feels like a heartwarming family reunion—thanks to a surprising connection with co-star Scarlett Johansson.

"I have a lot of affection for Scarlett," Neill told TheEntBase, referencing their history that dates back to the 1998 film The Horse Whisperer, where he played her on-screen father. "It really feels like a family reunion here. We were filming with Kristin Scott Thomas and Robert Redford in Montana, and I was her dad. So I see it as my daughter, who's totally capable of handling anything. She definitely gets that from me."

Scarlett Johansson and Sam Neill in 'The Horse Whisperer'. Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock

In Jurassic World Rebirth (2025), Johansson steps into the franchise as Zora Bennett, a special-ops specialist on a high-stakes mission to secure dinosaur DNA from the last sanctuary. Neill sees this as a passing of the torch, with Johansson carrying forward the legacy he helped build alongside Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum.

But the reunion doesn't stop there. Neill is also making a splash in a Jurassic Park-themed Xfinity Super Bowl commercial, directed by Taika Waititi, where he reunites with Dern and Goldblum as their iconic characters. The ad offers a hilarious twist: thanks to Xfinity's wifi, the park's systems stay intact, dinosaurs are contained, and chaos is averted.

Sam Neill returns as Alan Grant for 'Jurassic Park'-themed Xfinity Super Bowl commercial. Comcast and NBCUniversal

Neill shared a behind-the-scenes tidbit: "None of the gear I wore in the ad was original. I auctioned off items like my Timberland boots and Dominion hat for charity. So they crafted a new outfit for me. I decided not to hold onto it this time, just in case there's another get-together in the future."

The commercial, a collaboration between Xfinity and NBCUniversal that meticulously recreates the original film's magic, premieres during this Sunday's Super Bowl, setting the stage for Jurassic World Rebirth's explosive 2025 release.

THE ENTBASE VIEW

"This story taps into nostalgia and emotional connections, making it highly shareable. By highlighting the father-daughter dynamic between Neill and Johansson, it adds a personal layer to the blockbuster franchise. The inclusion of the Super Bowl ad and behind-the-scenes details boosts virality, appealing to both movie buffs and casual fans. The title and content are crafted to spark curiosity and engagement on social media."

CONTRIBUTOR: Julian Vance

Senior Box Office Analyst. Covering studio financials, global theatrical returns, and franchise strategy for major blockbusters.