The tumultuous journey of creating “Jaws 2” saw original director John D. Hancock replaced after script issues and budget overruns. His wife, Dorothy Tristan, wrote a new screenplay focusing on the psychological impacts of the original film on Amity Island’s residents. Despite significant changes and cast alterations, the sequel was released, grossing $77.7 million in the U.S., marking it as the sixth highest-grossing film of 1978, though it fell short of its predecessor’s success.
The Birth of Jaws 2: A Story of Turmoil and Triumph
When a blockbuster emerges from Hollywood, the industry is quick to seize the opportunity for a sequel. This was the case with “Jaws,” Steven Spielberg’s iconic shark thriller, which soared to financial success in 1975. In the wake of its triumph, a follow-up was promptly set in motion.
Richard D. Zanuck, the producer behind the original film, appointed John D. Hancock, known for his 1971 horror flick “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death,” as the director of the sequel. Hancock shared insights about his experience during an interview on the podcast “The Daily Jaws.”
Script Challenges and Directorial Changes
Upon joining the project, Hancock discovered that writer Howard Sackler had already delivered a first draft of a prequel script that he deemed ‘horrible.’ In search of a better narrative, Hancock enlisted his wife, Dorothy Tristan, after failing to attract more seasoned screenwriters like Nancy Dowd and Edward Anhalt.
Universal Studios greenlit Tristan’s script, which aimed to explore the psychological aftermath of the original film on the residents of Amity Island. With tourism plummeting, Sheriff Brody grappling with guilt, and the community facing financial woes, Hancock envisioned a more muted color palette for the sequel, contrasting sharply with the vibrant Technicolor of its predecessor.
Despite months of casting delays and disagreements over crew members, filming commenced under Hancock’s direction. However, the project took a dramatic turn when a private jet carrying Universal’s president, Sidney Sheinberg, landed in Martha’s Vineyard. That same evening, Hancock was informed of his dismissal from the film.
Hancock speculated that the studio’s sudden decision stemmed from Verna Fields, the Oscar-winning editor of the first “Jaws,” who had ambitions to direct the sequel. Following Hancock’s exit, Universal offered the director’s chair to Fields, but the Directors Guild intervened, leading to Jeannot Szwarc officially taking the helm while Fields worked behind the scenes.
Hancock’s departure also led to significant cast changes, including the firing of Tegan West and Ricky Schroder, who were set to portray Brody’s children. The character of Len Peterson was reimagined from a darker figure in Tristan’s script to a potential love interest for Ellen Brody in Szwarc’s version. Notably, Dorothy Tristan ultimately received no credit for her screenplay contributions.
As a result of the extensive changes and the scrapping of a month’s worth of footage, the budget for “Jaws 2” skyrocketed to $30 million, making it Universal’s most expensive film at the time. The original story, penned by Sackler and Tristan, was later adapted into a novel by Hank Searls and released shortly before the film’s debut.
When “Jaws 2” finally hit theaters, it grossed $77.7 million in the United States—a respectable figure but significantly less than the original’s $260 million. Despite this, it secured the title of the sixth highest-grossing film of 1978, solidifying its place in cinematic history.