“Jurassic World’s” breakout star tucks into a backpack and chomps on licorice with her tiny teeth. Her name is Dolores, and sheโs quickly become the soft spot of โJurassic World Rebirth.โ
When the film made its theatrical debut on July 2, audiences encountered a dinosaur not yet seen before in the franchise: an Aquilops, brought to life not only by special effects but also by an animatronic figure.
In the six previous entries of the โJurassicโ franchise, moviegoers learned to brace for colossal carnivores, bone-rattling reptile rumbles and bloody-slicked jungle terrain. But Dolores’ big eyes and playful energy likens her more to a pet than a predator.
In a June 26 behind-the-scenes featurette, actor Rupert Friend, who portrays Martin Krebs, described Dolores as โadorable,โ adding, โI wouldnโt be surprised if sheโs everyoneโs favorite character in the film. She’s probably mine.”
Similar affection for the dinosaur was extended when she appeared on TODAY June 25 alongside co-star Scarlett Johansson, who goaded co-anchor Craig Melvin into giving her a kiss.
“She’s a diva,” Johansson gushed, adding. “Give Dolores a kiss!”
She might be an animatronic, but she certainly appeared real enough to Craig, who hesitated several times before finally plopping a kiss on her head.
“She is sweet, not as sweet as you,” Craig told Johansson.
What Kind of Dinosaur Is Dolores?
Dolores is an Aquilops who made her feature debut in โJurassic World Rebirth.โ She strikes a connection with the filmโs character Isabella (played by Audrina Miranda), whom the dinosaur comforts when Isabella is frightened.
โThe reason why our relationship is so good in the movie is because I was scared and she just happened to crawl along and help me,โ explains Miranda in the behind-the-scenes footage.
Isabella eventually learns that Dolores isnโt like the dangerous teeth-gnashing dinosaurs on the island. Instead, Dolores enjoys licorice and is up for being carried around in Isabellaโs backpack.
David Iacono, who portrays Xavier in the film, describes her in the featurette as a โfun-loving puppy.โ
How Big Was Aquilops?
When Aquilops, who inspired Dolores, existed more than 100 million years ago, it was believed to be nearly two feet long according to the Sam Noble Museum at the University of Oklahoma. Or, roughly the size of a small cat!
How Was Dolores Brought to Life in โJurassic World Rebirthโ?
Instead of being created solely through CGI, special effects artists brought Dolores to life in an animatronic form, according to NBC Insider. The Dolores puppet was operated via radio controllers, capable of making the dinosaur blink and move her head, body, jaw and tail.
As a result, Dolores didn’t just feel real on screen. According to the filmโs director, Gareth Edwards, Dolores’ cuteness factor meant it was hard to tear the cast and crew away from her.
“The days we had the Aquilops on set were very long days because people wouldn’t go home,” Edwards explains. “They would stop and they’d want to pet her.”
