Whereas “Jaws” wasn’t Steven Spielberg’s first film, it was the film that put Spielberg on the map. Affected by manufacturing woes (it went over-budget and over-schedule), there was a very good probability that “Jaws” might’ve ended Spielberg’s profession simply because it was getting began. As a substitute, the killer shark flick just about invented the summer season blockbuster as we all know it and made Spielberg a famous person. Audiences lined up across the block to see what Spielberg had created, and the large success just about ensured Spielberg might do regardless of the hell he needed for the remainder of his profession. So what did Spielberg need to do subsequent? Nicely, it certain wasn’t a “Jaws” sequel, that is for certain. In 1975, Spielberg — in response to John Baxter’s guide “Steven Spielberg: The Unauthorised Biography” — scoffed on the thought, saying that making a sequel “is only a low-cost carny trick.”
However studio Common positively needed a sequel. Assuming that somebody would make it with or with out them, “Jaws” producers David Brown and Richard D. Zanuck got down to make “Jaws 2” occur. Certain, the shark blew up on the finish of the unique “Jaws,” however so what? There are many fish within the sea! Ultimately, the studio turned to filmmaker Jeannot Szwarc to helm “Jaws 2,” which arrived in 1978.
As everyone knows now, Spielberg did not stay as averse to sequels as he was in ’75. Not solely would he helm the vast majority of the “Indiana Jones” sequels, however he additionally directed the primary “Jurassic Park” sequel, “The Misplaced World.” Years later, Spielberg was requested about why he turned down “Jaws 2,” and he had a considerably totally different reply than merely being in opposition to sequels basically. As a substitute, Spielberg claimed it was his adverse expertise making the primary “Jaws” that stored him from returning to the shores of Amity Island.
Steven Spielberg had sufficient of the water
It’s extremely well-documented that Steven Spielberg didn’t have a superb time making “Jaws.” The manufacturing was a nightmare, with issues arising as a result of Spielberg actually needed to shoot on location as an alternative of on studio soundstage. A brand new situation introduced itself each day throughout manufacturing, together with the truth that the mechanical shark they constructed merely wouldn’t work. “Jaws” was initially scheduled to shoot for 55 days, but it surely ended up taking 159 days as an alternative. By the point the movie wrapped, Spielberg, who stored pondering he was going to be fired, was emotionally and mentally exhausted.
After all, all of it labored out ultimately: “Jaws” grew to become successful. However capturing the film clearly left some scars on Spielberg’s psyche — a lot in order that he needed nothing to do with a “Jaws” sequel. Talking with Ain’t It Cool Information (bear in mind them?) again in 2011, the topic of probably directing “Jaws 2” got here up, and Spielberg stated:
“I used to be executed, I used to be executed with the ocean. I’d have executed the sequel if I hadn’t had such a horrible time at sea on the primary movie. I’d have completely jumped on the probability to personal the sequel as a result of I knew that once I was strolling away from the sequel I used to be strolling away from an enormous piece of my life that I had helped to create, but it surely wasn’t a tough resolution to stroll [away] from it. I simply couldn’t think about going again out to the ocean and sitting in a ship for 9 months. I simply could not think about it.”
“Jaws” sequels would proceed on with out Spielberg. After “Jaws 2” got here “Jaws 3-D,” and at last “Jaws: The Revenge.” Whereas I believe “Jaws 2” has its moments (it is mainly a slasher film with the shark because the slasher), it is secure to say that just about everybody agrees that not one of the sequels come near touching Spielberg’s unique. And truthfully, even when Spielberg had returned to direct “Jaws 2,” I’ve a sense it would not be almost pretty much as good as the primary film — that was lightning-in-a-bottle stuff, people, and replicating that success appears nearly not possible.