2001 - 2010 - Time for a flashback because, in fact, Part 4 has been mooted since Johnston's threequel wrapped, but has been stuck in development hell ever since.

The initial screenplay was penned by an impressive tag-team, comprising future The Departed scribe William Monaghan and monster-movie veteran John Sayles (who cut his teeth writing Pirahna and Alligator before becoming an indie icon).

However, when the so-called "Dinosaurs With Guns" draft was leaked by Ain't It Cool News, its plotline (something to do with a repentant mercenary taking on genetically modified warriors with combined dinosaur, human and even dog DNA) was widely ridiculed.

In 2007, SFX guru Stan Winston confirmed that Spielberg wouldn't move forward until they'd cracked the story. 

"Steven wasn't very enthused with the first couple of screenplay drafts. I think he felt neither of them balanced the science and adventure elements effectively.

"It's a tough compromise to reach, as too much science will make the movie too talky, but too much adventure will make it seem hollow."

The death of Winston in 2008, not to mention series creator Michael Crichton the same year, ensured that things stayed cold until Johnston's recent announcement.