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Lights, camera, therapy? Yep, making movies is like joining a psychological circus. Itis a complex and detailed undertaking, often leading actors to experience deep psychological effects. These effects can be so intense that some actors consider not returning to play their characters in follow-up films.
A well-known instance of this occurred with Steven Spielberg’s movieJaws,where a main actor struggled with such emotional distress.The emotional roller coaster had him pondering the great unknown,“To sequel or not to sequel?”because of course nothing above one’s own mental peace.
Steven Spielberg’s Jaws Star’s Act at Beverly Hills Hotel
During the summer of ’75, Roy Scheider dove into our hearts as Police Chief Martin Brody inSteven Spielberg’sunforgettableJaws.Fast forward three years, and Scheider found himself in a different kind of cinematic current, bound by contract to the sequel,Jaws 2.
Also read:“That was much more horrible”: Steven Spielberg Had to Delete One Terrifying Scene from His $476M Movie That Would’ve Left Audience Traumatized Forever
Yet, behind the scenes, a quieter story was unfolding. Scheider, known for his dedication, faced a challenging dilemma. The prospect of a new director, Jeannot Szwarc, and concerns about the sequel’s script cast a shadow over his return to the shark-infested waters. Fueled by a desire for artistic control, he considered an audacious move – feigning insanity to escape his contractual obligation.
As mentioned in Diane C. Kachmar’s 2002 bookRoy Scheider: A Film Biography, there’s an interesting anecdote about Scheider’s attitude toward the sequel. Apparently, he was so opposed to the idea that he playfully acted being crazy during his stay at The Beverly Hills Hotel. The book mentioned:
“pleaded insanity and went crazy in The Beverly Hills Hotel”
Despite his concerns, Schneider agreed to reprise his role as Brody after being offered an appealing salary due to his contractual obligations with Universal.
Also read:“He didn’t want me to do it”: Steven Spielberg May Have to Retire Without a Star Wars Movie Because of 1 Legendary Director
Steven Spielberg’s Carny Trick Confession
To expand the controversies more, even Steven Spielberg turned down the opportunity to directJaws 2, citing his personal ordeal during the creation of the initial film as the reason. In a 2012 conversation withEntertainment Weekly,Spielberg disclosed that he might have considered helming the sequel had he not undergone such a harrowing experience at sea while filming the first installment. He mentioned:
“I would have done the sequel if I hadn’t had such a horrible time at sea on the first film”
During the San Francisco Film Festival, Spielberg made a declaration that:
“making a sequel to anything is just a cheap carny trick”
The acclaimed director has openly discussed grappling with PTSD stemming from his Jaws filmmaking journey. Additionally, he has voiced remorse over the movie’s unintended role in negatively shaping public attitudes towards sharks.
Also read:“It’s not just the greatest shark film of all time”: Steven Spielberg’s $482 Million Movie Has Undeniable Influence on Jason Statham’s ‘Meg 2: The Trench’
Source:Far Out
Chandni Arora
Articles Published :104
Chandni, an English Honours student, is always ready to explore new things, listen to podcasts, engage with quirky articles, and read poetry. She’s a writer with a zest for life and insatiable curiosity about the world around her. You will likely find her wandering with a cup of coffee in one hand and a book or paintbrushes and canvas in the other.
