Lights, camera, therapy? Yep, making movies is like joining a psychological circus. It is 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 movie Jaws, 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 in Steven Spielberg’s unforgettable Jaws. Fast forward three years, and Scheider found himself in a different kind of cinematic current, bound by contract to the sequel, Jaws 2.
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 book Roy 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.
Steven Spielberg’s Carny Trick Confession
To expand the controversies more, even Steven Spielberg turned down the opportunity to direct Jaws 2, citing his personal ordeal during the creation of the initial film as the reason. In a 2012 conversation with Entertainment 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.
Source: Far Out
