As a dedicated fan of the Jurassic Park franchise, and with the recent 30th anniversary of the original film, I’ve been reflecting on the enduring legacy of this cinematic masterpiece. To mark this milestone, I even wrote an article exploring its impact, which you can find here. However, little did I know that my 30th birthday celebrations would include a truly unique and Jurassic Park-themed surprise.
For those familiar with Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, the 2003 videogame, you might already have an inkling of who this article is about. Imagine my surprise when my sister gifted me a personalized birthday video message from none other than BD Wong, the actor who brilliantly portrays Dr. Henry Wu throughout the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World film series! Words can barely express how thrilled I was. While the full video is too large to upload here, I’m able to share a snippet of this incredible message below.
Thanks for the birthday message @wongbd! Totally unexpected birthday present from my sister. Awesome to receive on #JurassicPark30thAnniversary year as well! #JurassicPark30 #JurassicWorld pic.twitter.com/VYZdUtzqmR
— James Ronan (@JurassicJames1) July 14, 2023
BD Wong’s portrayal of Dr. Henry Wu has always captivated me within the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World universe. Dr. Wu stands out as a compelling and morally ambiguous character, originating from Michael Crichton’s original Jurassic Park novel. His evolution across the films is a fascinating study in ambition, ethics, and the unforeseen consequences of scientific hubris.
In the cinematic adaptations, Dr. Henry Wu is introduced as the brilliant, if somewhat detached, chief geneticist initially employed by INGEN, and subsequently by Masrani Global, Lockwood Estate, and finally Biosyn Genetics. From his initial, albeit brief, appearance in Jurassic Park, overseeing the iconic baby Raptor hatching scene, Dr. Wu’s character arc expands significantly throughout the Jurassic World trilogy, becoming a pivotal figure in the unfolding narrative.
Dr. Ian Malcolm, John Hammond, Dr. Ellie Sattler, Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Henry Wu observe the hatching Velociraptor in the Jurassic Park lab.
Dr. Wu’s initial role in Jurassic Park is limited but crucial, showcasing his expertise in genetic engineering as he presents the newly hatched Velociraptor to the park’s visitors. This scene establishes his integral role in bringing dinosaurs back to life, a feat of science that underpins the entire franchise’s premise.
However, with Jurassic World, we witness a significant shift in Dr. Wu’s persona. He becomes increasingly arrogant, driven by a relentless ambition for scientific advancement, seemingly at any cost. His creation of the Indominus Rex in Jurassic World exemplifies this unchecked ambition, demonstrating a dangerous disregard for the ethical implications of his work. He appears blind to his own scientific missteps, deflecting responsibility for the catastrophic consequences of his genetically engineered hybrid dinosaur.
BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu in Jurassic World, showcasing his return to the Jurassic Park saga.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom further complicates Dr. Wu’s narrative. Now working for Eli Mills at the Lockwood Estate, he is revealed to be developing Indoraptor prototypes, having been discredited and condemned for bioethical violations following the Jurassic World incident. Despite his past actions, Wu expresses concern over the Indoraptor‘s volatile and uncontrollable nature, driven by a desire to utilize Blue’s DNA to create a more compliant and weaponizable dinosaur. His worries extend to the potential proliferation of this technology, fearing its misuse by other genetic companies and the black market. Notably, regret for the events of Jurassic World remains absent, and he displays a disturbing indifference to the welfare of the dinosaurs relocated to Lockwood Estate.
By Jurassic World: Dominion, Dr. Wu reaches a point of profound transformation. Now employed by Biosyn Genetics, he confronts the devastating repercussions of the Biosyn locust program, recognizing its potential to trigger global famine. In a redemptive arc, Wu seeks to rectify his past mistakes. Utilizing Maisie’s and Beta’s DNA, he engineers a solution to eradicate the genetically modified locusts, aiming to avert global catastrophe. BD Wong himself has spoken about this evolution in Henry Wu’s character in Jurassic World: Dominion, highlighting his journey towards acknowledging and attempting to correct his past errors.
It is worth noting the divergence between Dr. Wu’s film portrayal and his literary counterpart in Michael Crichton’s novel. In the book, Dr. Wu’s character meets a definitive end, falling victim to Velociraptors. The novel’s Wu believes in refining dinosaurs, making them more manageable and less threatening, driven by anxieties about public perception of the park’s creations. These concerns are dismissed by John Hammond, leaving Wu feeling undervalued and unheard.
Beyond the films and novel, Dr. Wu has permeated various other media, including Lego Jurassic World: Legend of Isla Nublar, video games such as Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, Jurassic World Evolution 1 and Jurassic World Evolution 2, audio dramas like Jurassic World: Aftermath, and even features in Jurassic World: The Ride and Velocicoaster promotional videos.
Michael Crichton conceived Henry Wu as a crucial figure in realizing the dream of Jurassic Park, bringing dinosaurs back from extinction. The Jurassic World films skillfully leveraged Dr. Wu’s brief appearance in the original Jurassic Park as a narrative bridge, expanding his character arc and propelling the Jurassic World franchise into new and dynamic territories.
Receiving a personalized message from BD Wong, the actor who embodies Dr. Henry Wu, feels incredibly meaningful, particularly during the 30th anniversary year of Jurassic Park. It underscores the enduring impact of the film and the character he so expertly portrays.
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