10 Fascinating Behind The Scenes Facts About Jaws
5. Robert Shaw Didn't Like The Book
It's hard to imagine anyone else playing Quint, but it almost became a reality when actor Robert Shaw expressed his dislike for the novel written by Peter Benchley. In his words, he thought the novel "wasn't very good" and only agreed to play the role of Quint after his wife, Mary Ure, urged him to take the role.
David Brown and Richard Zanuck paid the author a generous $175,000 for the movie rights before the book had even been printed, so they must have liked something about it.
Shaw wasn't the first choice for the role of Quint, either. Actors Sterling Hayden and Lee Marvin were first in line for the role, but it ultimately went to Shaw, which many will agree was a smart choice and a key part of the film's success. Quint's opening scene was supposed to be of him laughing while watching Moby Dick, but the director went with a colder approach and had him introduce himself at the town meeting with the iconic cringe chalkboard scene. Which would you have preferred?