Mattel’s Hammond Collection has become a fan-favorite toy line, offering highly detailed and articulated figures of dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World films. While most of these creatures are directly inspired by their movie counterparts, some figures have a more obscure connection to the franchise. These dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures may not have had significant screen time—or any at all—but their presence in the Jurassic universe is undeniable. Let’s take a look at a few Hammond Collection figures that have surprising ties to Jurassic history.
Scutosaurus: A Permian Survivor
Right: Scutosaurus part of the Dino Tracker Adventure Set (The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Kenner, 1997)
Scutosaurus may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of Jurassic Park, but it has an interesting history within the franchise. Originally planned as part of Kenner’s Jurassic Park Series II toy line in 1994, the figure was ultimately scrapped before release. However, Scutosaurus got a second chance when it was included in an exclusive The Lost World: Jurassic Park toy set.
Mattel’s Hammond Collection version marks the third time the company has released a Scutosaurus figure, bringing this prehistoric reptile back into the spotlight. While it never appeared in any Jurassic film, its history in the toy line makes it a deep-cut addition that fans of the franchise’s extended universe will appreciate.
Irritator: From Park Builder to the Toy Shelf
Right: Print screen from Jurassic Park III: Park Builder (Konami, 2001)
Unlike the other entries, Irritator has a more substantial presence in Jurassic media—just not in the movies. It first appeared in Jurassic Park III: Park Builder, a Game Boy Advance game where players could create their own dinosaur theme park. Since then, Irritator has become a staple in Jurassic video games, appearing in Jurassic World: Alive and Jurassic World Evolution.
Mattel’s official description refers to the Hammond Collection figure as game-accurate, and upon closer inspection, its color pattern and distinctive red head crest seem to be directly inspired by the Jurassic Park III: Park Builder version of the dinosaur.
Metriacanthosaurus: A Name from the Past
Right: screenshot from Jurassic Park (Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment, 1993)
Metriacanthosaurus is one of those dinosaurs that has technically always been part of the Jurassic Park story, yet has remained in the background for decades. The species was first referenced in Jurassic Park (1993) as one of the dinosaur embryos on the stolen vial from InGen. However, it wasn’t until Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom that Metriacanthosaurus was nearly given a proper on-screen role.
Concept art for Fallen Kingdom included Metriacanthosaurus, but it ultimately didn’t make the final cut. That said, its name and DNA classification continue to appear in various Jurassic World media, ensuring that it remains part of the franchise’s lore.
Geosternbergia: The Lost Concept Art
Right: Collector card (Petit Gervais, 1997)
The Geosternbergia (a close relative of the more widely known Pteranodon) has a subtle but fascinating connection to The Lost World: Jurassic Park. While the species itself never made it onto the big screen, it did appear in artwork for the film, even on merchandise like collector cards. A brief glimpse of this artwork of can be seen on in-universe InGen documents in The Lost World, labeling it as a Pteranodon species.
Mattel’s Hammond Collection figure brings this lost concept to life, making it a rare example of a Jurassic Park creature that was once considered for the franchise but never fully realized—until now.
A Collection Beyond the Films
The Hammond Collection isn’t just about recreating iconic moments from the Jurassic films—it’s also about honoring the franchise’s deep and intricate history. Whether through scrapped toy designs, lost concept art, or video game appearances, Mattel has given fans a chance to own a piece of Jurassic history that might otherwise have been forgotten. These figures serve as a reminder that the Jurassic universe extends far beyond what we see on screen, with countless stories and creatures still waiting to be discovered.
Which dinosaur from the Jurassic franchise that never appeared in the films would you love to see in the Hammond Collection? Share your thoughts in the comments!
