Age gap controversy

In Jurassic Park, Dr. Ellie Sattler and Dr. Alan Grant develop a romantic connection - but the age gap between the actors raised eyebrows among some viewers.

Laura Dern was just 23 during filming, while Sam Neill was 20 years older.

Despite the difference, Dern felt the pairing made sense.

She explained: “Well, it felt completely appropriate to fall in love with Sam Neill. And 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?’”

Neill admitted the age gap didn’t register with him at the time.

He said: “I am 20 years older than Laura! Which at the time was a completely appropriate age difference for a leading man and lady.

“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. And there I was, on the list. I thought, ‘Come on. It can’t be true.’”