Universal has planned a fourth installment of Jurassic Park since 2001, when Joe Johnston inherited the franchise from Steven Spielberg on the way to $368 million globally. Among the plotters: Michael Crichton — the original source novelist who succumbed to cancer a month ago — and Park producer Marshall himself, who took a moment over the weekend to discuss what precisely that means for JP4:

When asked if there was any development on the long-anticipated sequel, Kennedy responded, "No... I don't know. You know, when Crichton passed away, I sorta felt maybe that's it. Maybe that's a sign that we don't mess with it."

Or maybe that sign came with John Sayles and William Monahan's script draft that surfaced four years ago, to which even some of the Web's easiest-to-please critics reacted with horror over the story's "Dirty Dozen-style mercenary team of hyper-smart dinosaurs in body armor killing drug dealers and rescuing kidnapped children." We're just saying. It could have been anything.

That said, if the Crichton factor allows for a more dignified closure, we'll take it. Can we somehow invoke his passing to spike Beverly Hills Cop 2009? What about this Arthur remake? Surely he'd be as outraged as the rest of us.

• Producers Say No to Jurassic Park 4 [Coming Soon]

"While the world knew him as a great story teller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us — and entertained us all while doing so — his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes. He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget.

Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand.

He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched, but he leaves behind the greatest gifts of a thirst for knowledge, the desire to understand, and the wisdom to use our minds to better our world.

Michael's family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time.

A private funeral service is expected, but no further details will be released to the public."

• "Jurassic Park" Author Michael Crichton Dead at 66 [momlogic]