I know not everyone is going to be excited by the news, but I for one am ecstatic!  In an interview earlier this week with BoxOffice, Joe Johnston (director of the last Jurassic Park movie) spoke mostly about his next project Captain America.  However for a brief moment the conversation veered towards information on the latest Jurassic Park film.

Rumors about a new film have been running rampant since 2001, but in the past several months new tidbits have been coming out that make this film feel closer.  The fact that a new writer was hired to pen a script for it was probably the biggest.  However, official confirmation for this film has been...somewhat lacking.  Joe Johnston at long last is telling fans what they want to hear:

There is going to be a Jurassic Park IV. And it's going to be unlike anything you've seen. It breaks away from the first three—it's essentially the beginning of the second Jurassic Park trilogy. It's going to be done in a completely different way. That's pretty much all I can tell you.

What's exciting about this is not only the confirmation, but this is the first news of more than one film.  Universal studios are wanting to start a new trilogy of films involving those deadly dinosaurs, presumably with an entire new cast of characters more than likely having nothing to do with the first set of films.

I loved the first three films, and cannot wait to see what they have in store next.  Don't get too eager now, for we probably wont' be seeing this in theaters any time soon.  If Joe Johnston is in fact directing, we can't expect anything to happen until Captain America is released in Summer 2011.

Despite this fact Universal seems to be using the time to rebuild the franchise, and reinvigorate the public, getting them excited for another outing.  You can see evidence of this in the fact that this year they have released an entirely new line of Jurassic Park toys, featuring all new sculpts and models for fans and kids to enjoy.  This reminds me of the early 90s when Kenner launched a new set of Star Wars figures and toys shortly before Lucasfilm announced the Special Editions, which of course was a prelude to the announcement for the Prequels. To further this idea is the rumor going around that the original JP trilogy is set to release on blu-ray this year.

Take heart fans, while it may still be a few years away, I would not be surprised to see an official studio announcement on Jurassic Park IV...maybe even a release date before the end of the year.

-Jordan