“Jurassic Park” Stars Laura Dern And Sam Neill Thought It Was Normal To Cast A 23 Year-Old As The Love Interest Of Someone In Their 40s

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Alrighty, so if you've seen the 1993 movie Jurassic Park, then you're likely very aware of the romance between Laura Dern's Ellie Sattler and Sam Neill's Alan Grant.

Laura Dern and Sam Neill as Ellie Sattler and Alan Grant in "Jurassic Park"
Mca / Courtesy Everett Collection

Perhaps, less commented on is the age difference between Laura and Sam, given that Laura was just 23 when the movie was shot, and Sam was 44.

Richard Attenborough, Laura Dern, and Sam Neill in "Jurassic Park"
Universal Pictures / Getty Images

Well, ahead of both actors appearing in the new Jurassic World Dominion movie, Laura and Sam discussed their age difference with the Sunday Times.

Closeup of Laura Dern
Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images for CDGA, NurPhoto / Getty Images

“Laura was a tender age," Sam recalled. “I am 20 years older than Laura! Which at the time was a completely appropriate age difference for a leading man and lady!"

Martin Ferrero, Richard Attenborough, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, and Laura Dern in "Jurassic Park"
Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection

“It never occurred to me until I opened a magazine and there was an article called ‘Old geezers and gals.’ People like Harrison Ford and Sean Connery acting with much younger people," he continued. “And there I was, on the list.”

Laura Dern and Sam Neill
Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic, Inc / Getty Images

As for Laura, she said her thoughts on the matter had evolved with time. “Well, it felt completely appropriate to fall in love with Sam Neill," she said.

Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Steven Spielberg
Murray Close / Getty Images

Laura continued, "It was only now, when we returned in a moment of cultural awareness about the patriarchy, that I was, like, ‘Wow! We’re not the same age?’”

Laura Dern and Sam Neill in "Jurassic Park"
Murray Close / Universal Studios / courtesy Everett Collection

Ahhhhh the '90s.