A small detail in Jurassic World: Dominion by showing he'd already faced consequences for his actions before the movie. B.D. Wong first played Dr. Henry Wu in the original Jurassic Park and then later reprise his role in all three Jurassic World films, making him the most featured and consistent character throughout the entire Jurassic franchise. While a heavily featured protagonist who sacrifices himself in the Jurassic Park book, Henry Wu’s portrayal in the Jurassic films is very different, starting as a minor character, then becoming one of the few human villains in the franchise and ending with his redemption.
Henry Wu’s redemption arc is mostly shown in the Jurassic World: Dominion movie. His work in genetic research and the manipulation of prehistoric genes led to the creation of the infamous locusts that overtake the final Jurassic film. Wu begs Maisie, the human clone, to let him study her genetic makeup to end the locust crisis – a study that would also complete the work started by Maisie’s biological mother. This, along with Wu helping the heroes escape the dinosaur compound on a helicopter, brings the character redemption and peace. While this seemed a quick turn as Henry Wu was otherwise portrayed as a villain, there was a small secret hint that the character would be redeemed.
How Henry Wu Faced Consequences Behind The Scenes
Throughout the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom story, Henry Wu is never referred to by his Doctor title. People either call him by his first name or address him as “Mr. Henry Wu”. While such a small detail that most audiences probably didn’t even notice the change, this shows that Wu faced major consequences after the first Jurassic World. According to trivia for Fallen Kingdom, a deleted scene explained Henry had his doctorate stripped away due to being fired from InGen and held able for the deaths caused by the Indominus Rex. While this scene was never filmed, the hints remain with Wu never being referred to by his doctor title.
How "Mr." Wu Sets Up His JWD Redemption
Referring to Wu by only “Mr.” or “Henry” set up his redemption arc in Dominion, and was ultimately a better ending than repeating Wu’s fate in the Jurassic Park book. The name change humbled Wu’s character before his full turn in Dominion, and it was a setup that was desperately needed. In the first Jurassic World, Wu comes across as very arrogant, not owning up to his mistakes with the Indominus and still seeking to continue his work by any means necessary. Calling him “Mr. Wu” consistently began the slow fall from grace Wu would fully reach by Dominion, and forced him to confront the effects of his actions.
Wu’s redemption beginning with him being humbled and ending with him saving the people he put in danger was a better ending for the film version of his character. By showing that when his circumstances changed he was able to adapt and change for the better fits in well with the message in the Jurassic World: Dominion ending: that humans will have to adapt and find a way to co-exist with the dinosaurs. While a complete 180 from his original character, the film Henry Wu went from an esteemed doctor to a broken man, to finally a humbled hero, proving again that life finds a way of working itself out.
