Although Hammond is killed by dinosaurs in the first novel, the character survives in the film version and briefly returns in the 1997 sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, with Attenborough reprising the role.

To demonstrate the capabilities of genetic engineering, Hammond showcases a miniature elephant to potential investors, ultimately raising nearly $1 billion for the Jurassic Park project on Isla Nublar.

Although some bioengineering companies strive to cure disease and illness, Hammond views such endeavors as financially risky and bogged down by government regulations, telling his chief geneticist Dr. Henry Wu: "That's a terrible idea.

Through much of the novel, he remains in the relative safety of the Visitor Center and his private bungalow, continuing to believe that he is in control, even as the surrounding situation grows exceedingly dire.

However, while taking a walk outside, he is startled by a Tyrannosaurus roar (which in truth was a dinosaur recorder being used ironically by his own grandchildren), falls down a hill, and breaks his ankle.

In the sequel novel The Lost World (1995), Ian Malcolm briefly reveals the true secrets behind the InGen Incident, reviewing Hammond's investment strategies and rise to monetary power.

Hammond is depicted as a kind, jovial and charismatic Scottish capitalist who takes responsibility for his actions, a sympathetic and loving grandfather and leader who means well and tries to keep everyone safe.

Hammond has a deeper emotional understanding of creating attractions for children and families, and wants to make Jurassic Park a scientific reality.

After an accident on InGen's other island, Isla Sorna, the board of directors relieves Hammond as CEO and gives the position to his nephew Peter Ludlow.

The film states that Hammond had initially begun construction of Jurassic Park: San Diego, before abandoning the project in favor of the Isla Nublar location.

Hammond devotes what resources he has left to keeping the island's dinosaurs isolated from the rest of the world, something he has been doing in the four years since the Isla Nublar incident.

The company proceeded with Hammond's original idea, eventually opening a new dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, on Isla Nublar in 2005.

When Masrani berates Henry Wu for the creation of the Indominus rex and tells him to shut down all activity, he mentions that Hammond will not be there to protect him this time.

Upon arriving in Hawaii for filming, Attenborough was disappointed to find that production was ahead of schedule, giving him little time to prepare.

[17] In 2000, before the release of Jurassic Park III, it was reported that Attenborough would reprise his role for a cameo appearance,[18] but this did not occur, and Hammond is only mentioned in the film.

[25] Roger Ebert, reviewing the first film, found Hammond to have limited characterization, writing "there was an opportunity here to make his character grand and original, colorful and oversize, and instead he comes across as unfocused and benign.

[17] Sean Pagnotti of Collider called him a "capitalist monster" and a "charming embodiment of toxic positive manifestation", writing that it is "not unusual to feel sorry for the poor, old billionaire" due to his charisma and Attenborough's performance.

[29] Noting the Lockwood backstory provided in the Jurassic World films, Ray Clough of MovieWeb wrote, "Acting as the ultimate hypocrite, Hammond would state that creating a cloned human was unholy and morally corrupt, despite the fact that he was doing the same thing with a once-extinct species.

[31] Tara Bennett of Syfy Wire called Hammond the worst villain in the film series: "We know this ranking will be controversial, but don't let that grandfatherly look fool you."

[42] Although Jurassic Park toys had existed since 1993, Hammond did not receive an action figure until 2019, when Mattel released one in limited quantity for the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.

[45] Hammond's death in the novel is referenced in the third season of Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, when Yaz repeats a story she heard about the original park owner being eaten alive by Procompsognathus after breaking his ankle.