Jurassic World Map

These images of a prop in use for Jurassic World were leaked today. This fake map may not tell us anything about the plot of the movie, but there's still a lot of information you can glean from it.  Let's pick this apart.

The first bit I noticed is that the proportions of Isla Nublar do not exactly match up with the original topography of the island. Some places do not have quite as many dips and curves while other regions have more. The new design seems more broad and less elongated.

The general layout of the park is interesting. It resembles the novel's more; including a huge lagoon in the middle of the island.

Putting "T-REX KINGDOM" right next to the "VISITOR'S CENTER". Brilliant. What could possibly go wrong?

And "T-Rex" is invalid. Even people claiming to be serious dinophiles still use this term and it drives me crazy. T. rex is the proper binomial nomenclature for the animal. "T-Rex" makes it sound like some movie monster and not an animal.

Here's where it gets really interesting. (Creatures of Jurassic? On my count, there's only four animals of Jurassic age on the roster.) Few things excite me more than lists of dinosaurs. If you're having trouble seeing the above image, the list is:

Ankylosaurus - I think this critter was in Jurassic Park 3. Kind of a stock dinosaur. Lots of people unfamiliar with dinosaurs at least recognize it.

Apatosaurus - One of the original animals from the novels and my favorite as a child. Stock, but I'm happy it's in and that it was chosen over Brachiosaurus.

Baryonx - This one was in the original list for the first film. I doubt we'll see it. Probably just set dressing at best.

Dimorphodon - A primitive pterosaur. Tiny. I think they'll basically be flying compys. I doubt the movie design will be as pretty and bird-like.

Edmontosaurus - Used to be a somewhat ordinary ornithopod. Recent discoveries have changed that. The head crest the males had will probably be absent since the movie was in production before it was published.

Gallimimus - They could spice up this old favorite by adding feathers. Ornithomimids were confirmed to have had them in the last few years. They won't, though. Boring.

Metriacanthosaurus - A sinraptor and a medium-sized theropod. Probably won't be in the movie at all and is just a link to the first.

Microceratus - Maybe a nod to the original novel? This animal used to be known as Microceratops but the name was abolished when it was discovered that it had already been assigned to a species of wasp. Probably will appear in scenery porn or in the petting zoo.

Mosasaurus - Not what I would have picked for the marine reptile rep. (I would have chosen Kronosaurus.) How did they manage to resurrect this one? Maybe I'm wrong (I'm not), but mosquitoes can't bite an animal that lives in the sea.

Pachycephalosaurus - Stock. There's been second thoughts on their supposed head-butting behavior, but they'll probably still be portrayed that way.

Parasaurolophus - Stock. It will probably appear in scenery porn.

Pteranodon - The go-to pterosaur. Stock. The pterosaur that should be in this is on the right. If portrayed with some modicum of accuracy, it would be the scariest creature in the movie.

Stegosaurus - Stock. I know I keep saying this, but there's over a thousand described species and these people refuse to go with anything uncommon that would expand the knowledge of the public. The Jurassic Park franchise is what people base what they know of dinosaurs. Is it really asking much?

Suchomimus - It could be interesting and few have heard of it, but this animal is pretty much the same thing as Baryonx. I doubt it will appear on screen, but what the hell? Think a bit more creatively, please. Incidentally, the image above was used for the silhouette of the animal in the park map. What hard-working artists these folks are.

Triceratops - Stock. It could be updated if they add the quills inferred from other ceratopsians, but they won't. There has been some speculation that ceratopsians may have been omnivorous, but I think the image of Triceratops eating meat might destroy more childhoods than feathered dinosaurs.

Tyrannosaurus - Stock. I guess no movie about dinosaurs can't not have it and the same old design will certainly be in use if the leaked photos of the Velociraptor are any indication.

What I first noticed, by the way: Where is Velociraptor? It's a staple of the franchise. It's confirmed to be in the film, so maybe they are not part of the park setting. Why do they even bother cloning the animal if it's so dangerous and can't make any money? Do these people have a death wish?

Mundo Jurássico. I love it.

Viewing the "Gentle Giants Petting Zoo" description and the dinosaur roster, I think maybe two animals at best on there could possibly be "gentle." Certainly none of the "giants" would be. This has always bugged me. Just because an animal eats plants doesn't mean it won't tear you to pieces. The most dangerous animal in Africa is not the lion or crocodile, but the hippo, for example. I'd fear a pissed off Triceratops more than most of the dinosaurs on the list.

Gallimimus and Apatosaurus in the same pen. Mixing animals millions of years apart and from different continents. Oh, I would be the most annoying visitor if this was real.

Mosasaurus is not a dinosaur. Clearly little research has been done. Why are they paying Jack Horner to consult, again?

You can get a venti latte at Jurassic World. I would have preferred a Panda Express, but whatever.

There's a lot of rides and attractions that have nothing to do with the beasts. Dinosaurs not being enough of a spectacle honestly makes me sad. How spoiled these patrons must be.