Jaws 2
Jaws 2 is a 1978 American thriller film directed by Jeannot Szwarc that serves as the sequel to the 1975 blockbuster Jaws.[1] The story is set on Amity Island, where Police Chief Martin Brody, played by Roy Scheider, investigates mysterious deaths and sightings of a great white shark threatening a group of teenagers during a sailing regatta.[1] Returning cast members include Lorraine Gary as Brody's wife Ellen and Murray Hamilton as the opportunistic Mayor Larry Vaughn.[1] Released by Universal Pictures on June 16, 1978, the film features a screenplay by Howard Sackler and Carl Gottlieb, building on the original's premise of man versus nature while introducing new perils for the island's residents.[2][1] The production of Jaws 2 began shortly after the unprecedented success of Jaws, which grossed over $470 million worldwide, prompting Universal to fast-track a sequel to capitalize on the franchise's popularity.) Initial plans included director Steven Spielberg returning, but he declined, proposing instead a prequel focused on the USS Indianapolis shark attacks mentioned in the first film; the studio opted for a direct sequel set in Amity.[3] John D. Hancock was hired as director in June 1977 but was replaced after one month of filming due to creative differences with the producers, leading to Szwarc stepping in to helm the project.[3] Shot primarily on location in Florida and Massachusetts with a budget of $20 million, the production faced mechanical issues with the mechanical shark, echoing challenges from the original film.[4][3] Upon release, Jaws 2 achieved significant commercial success, earning $102.9 million domestically and $208.9 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing sequel at the time and ranking as the seventh highest-grossing film of 1978 in North America.[4] Critically, it received mixed reviews, with a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 42 reviews, praised for its suspenseful sequences and Scheider's performance but criticized for lacking the original's innovation and tension.[1] The film has since been viewed as a competent follow-up that expanded the Jaws franchise, influencing subsequent shark-themed cinema despite its formulaic approach.[1]Synopsis
Plot
Four years after the great white shark attacks that terrorized Amity Island, police chief Martin Brody continues to suffer from paranoia induced by the previous incidents.[5] While attending the dedication of the new Amity Civic Center, Brody spots what he believes to be a shark fin in the water during a photo shoot, but his concerns are dismissed by town officials eager to promote tourism.[5] Soon after, a young diver taking underwater photographs for the event is brutally attacked and killed by a massive great white shark, with his camera sinking to the ocean floor.[5] The following day, the mutilated corpse of a killer whale washes ashore, its underbelly bearing large bite marks consistent with a shark attack, heightening Brody's fears.[5] Despite warnings to the mayor and council, they refuse to close the beaches or alert the public, attributing the incidents to natural causes or Brody's overactive imagination.[5] Brody's obsession grows when he views the recovered camera's developed photos, one of which clearly shows the shark's distinctive scarred snout from a previous injury.[5] Meanwhile, a group of teenagers, led by Brody's eldest son Mike and including his younger son Sean, embarks on a sailing excursion around the island aboard several small sailboats as part of a school outing.[5] As the teens sail into open water, the shark begins targeting them systematically.[5] It first rams a speedboat towing a water skier, causing her to crash into the water where she is devoured; the resulting boat explosion kills her friend.[5] Later, the shark attacks a boy riding his horse along the beach, dragging both into the surf and drowning the rider.[5] Brody, patrolling the waters, witnesses the horse incident and becomes even more frantic, straining his relationships with his wife Ellen and the town.[5] The shark then strikes the teenage flotilla, capsizing several of the sailboats and forcing the survivors to cling to the floating wreckage of the capsized vessels.[5] Several teens are killed in the chaos, including one pulled underwater during an attempt to swim to safety.[5] Brody, alerted by radio, commandeers a rescue boat with Deputy Hendricks and races to the scene, where they find the stranded group under siege.[5] Ellen Brody joins the effort briefly, piloting a larger vessel to aid in the evacuation.[5] In the climactic confrontation, as the shark lunges at Brody on a half-sunken sailboat, he manages to spear it with a power line from a nearby electrical cable, electrocuting the beast in a massive surge that kills it.[5] The survivors are saved, and though Brody's warnings are finally heeded, the town faces the economic fallout from yet another shark-related crisis.[5]Cast
The cast of Jaws 2 (1978) prominently features returning performers from the original Jaws (1975), providing continuity to the story of Amity Island's ongoing shark-related perils. Roy Scheider reprises his lead role as Police Chief Martin Brody, portraying a more seasoned and skeptical authority figure tasked with safeguarding the community. Lorraine Gary returns as Ellen Brody, Scheider's character's supportive wife, whose concern for her family underscores the personal stakes. Murray Hamilton again plays Mayor Larry Vaughn, the politically motivated official whose denial of threats exacerbates the danger. Jeffrey Kramer reprises his supporting role as Deputy Jeff Hendricks, Brody's loyal assistant in law enforcement duties.[6] New additions to the ensemble include Joseph Mascolo as Len Peterson, a town council member involved in local affairs. The film expands the narrative with a ensemble of teenagers facing the shark's threat, highlighted by Ann Dusenberry as Tina Wilcox, a resilient young sailor among the group. Collin Wilcox Paxton appears as Dr. Lureen Elkins, a marine biologist consulted on the initial incidents. Marc Gilpin debuts as Sean Brody, the youngest son of the Brody family, adding a layer of familial vulnerability unique to this sequel. Supporting teen roles are filled by actors such as John Dukakis as Paul "Polo" Loman, contributing to the youthful sailing party central to the film's tension.[6][7]| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roy Scheider | Police Chief Martin Brody | Returning from Jaws; delivers a performance noted for its worried intensity.[8] |
| Lorraine Gary | Ellen Brody | Returning from Jaws. |
| Murray Hamilton | Mayor Larry Vaughn | Returning from Jaws. |
| Joseph Mascolo | Len Peterson | New to the franchise; town official. |
| Jeffrey Kramer | Deputy Jeff Hendricks | Returning from Jaws. |
| Collin Wilcox Paxton | Dr. Lureen Elkins | Marine expert role. |
| Ann Dusenberry | Tina Wilcox | Key teen character in sailing sequence. |
| Marc Gilpin | Sean Brody | New; Brody's young son. |
| John Dukakis | Paul "Polo" Loman | Supporting teen sailor. |