Steven Spielberg modified cinema perpetually when Jaws hit theaters in 1975. It turned seashore journeys into second ideas for hundreds of thousands and gave delivery to what we now name the summer season blockbuster. Now, with its fiftieth anniversary this yr, individuals are as soon as once more diving into the movie, not simply the unique however the sequels too.
Why Jaws 2 Was Made With out Steven Spielberg
Among the many sequels, Jaws 2 stands out. It’s not as a result of it was nice, however as a result of it’s the least unhealthy. It introduced again Roy Scheider’s Chief Brody, one other shark, and a brand new director, Jeannot Szwarc. Nevertheless, essentially the most well-known title from the primary movie was lacking as Steven Spielberg didn’t return, and there’s much more behind that than some easy refusal.
The enduring director turned a drive in Hollywood when Jaws exploded on the field workplace and took residence Oscars. The movie was a large hit, incomes over $477 million worldwide, and Common noticed a goldmine and wished a sequel quick. The unique producers, David Brown and Richard Zanuck, stayed on, and even Roy Scheider returned. However Spielberg, however, went silent, primarily as a result of he dismissed sequels as low-cost tips and believed he’d already made the last word shark film. Properly, in all equity, he did converse the reality.
#Jaws was launched on this present day 50 years in the past 🦈 pic.twitter.com/YFDkErcduC
— Jay (@JibbaJabb) June 20, 2025
The Actual Cause Steven Spielberg Walked Away From Jaws 2
In accordance with Collider, Spielberg’s absence wasn’t solely about artistic delight. Apparently, behind the scenes of the primary movie, issues had gone off the rails. The mechanical shark used within the film barely labored, the ocean pictures dragged perpetually, the tensions between the actors had been at an all-time excessive, and worst of all, the manufacturing went 100 days over schedule. Spielberg thought it’d wreck his profession, however luckily, it turned out to be the exact opposite. These experiences proved to be detrimental for Spielberg, and it even haunted him lengthy after the film was filmed.
Steven Spielberg’s Misplaced Prequel Concept
At one level, although, Spielberg did take into consideration coming again. After Hancock’s firing and with no director locked in, Spielberg reached out. He pitched a prequel primarily based on the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the story Robert Shaw chillingly recounted within the unique.
It might have been one thing new, one thing aside from one other rinse-and-repeat shark hunt. However Common wasn’t interested by ready for him to complete Shut Encounters of the Third Variety, and that was that. There was no actual fuss about it. Spielberg walked quietly away, maybe relieved he didn’t plunge again into these waters.
Ultimately, the studio rushed forward with a safer script as an alternative of constructing one thing contemporary. Consequently, Jaws 2 got here collectively, which was lighter in tone and acquainted in components. It wasn’t a catastrophe, nevertheless it additionally wasn’t the daring leap ahead Spielberg had briefly imagined. The thought of the Indianapolis prequel pale away, although it nonetheless holds sufficient weight to make followers surprise what might’ve been.
Jaws Trailer
For extra such tales, take a look at Hollywood Information
Should Learn: Not Terminator Or Predator — This Cult Sci-Fi Basic May Be Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Large Display screen Comeback
Comply with Us: Fb | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Google Information