Why Did Roy Scheider Not Want To Do Jaws 2?

Roy Scheider was hesitant to reprise his role as Chief Brody in Jaws 2. He felt there wasn’t much room for character development, believing audiences were primarily interested in seeing the shark, not him.

While this might sound a bit dramatic, it’s important to remember that Scheider was a serious actor who valued artistic integrity. He had already established himself as a talented performer, and he didn’t want to be typecast as the “Jaws” guy. He felt the sequel offered him little creative satisfaction.

Scheider’s biographer mentions an incident where Scheider, desperate to escape the role, went to great lengths to get out of it. He allegedly “pleaded insanity” and acted erratically at the Beverly Hills Hotel, which, in the context of the time, was a bold move to get out of a contract.

While we can’t know for sure what Scheider’s true intentions were, it seems he was trying to communicate his reluctance to the producers. It’s a testament to his commitment to his craft that he went to such lengths to avoid a role he felt didn’t offer him much. It’s also a reminder that even big-name actors have to navigate the realities of the film industry and sometimes make tough decisions about their careers.