5. Jaws 2 Was A Violent, Depressing Thriller
A sequel to Jaws stood no chance of being as good, but Jaws 2 gave it a decent try. Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss, having experienced the shoot from hell on Jaws, wanted no part. A few ideas were thrown around, including a prequel based on Quints chilling USS Indianapolis speech. But eventually the shoot began under director John D. Hancock, who also wrote the screenplay. This version was set four years after Jaws, with Amity economically destroyed after the shark attacks. The tourists stopped coming (understandably), and businesses and houses are boarded up. Then the mayor makes a deal with a developer (and the mob) to build a casino to revitalise the Island. Just when things start looking up, another shark arrives. Hancocks take would have been darker and more violent than the final version, but conflicts with executives saw he didnt last long. The studio head wanted a bigger role for his wife, who played Chief Brodys other half but Hancock refused. He also fired an actress from a small role, who turned out to an executives girlfriend. These conflicts combined with unhappiness over Hancocks footage led to him being dismissed after a month. His footage was scrapped, a new director was wheeled in and Jaws 2 was retooled to be happier in tone. Hancocks footage has never been revealed, but the eerie shot of a fin rising out of the water near the start is said to be the only shot of his used.