Jaws Star Joins New Shark Movie

By Jeffrey Rapaport | Published

movie sequel
Jaws 1975

It’s been nearly fifty years since beloved actor Richard Dreyfuss battled the iconic shark in 1975’s Jaws. But the household name actor is venturing back into familiar waters: Dreyfuss will feature in an upcoming thriller, Into The Deep. Of course, the actor’s participation in the film constitutes more than a return to the genre—it’s a nod to his memorable role as Matt Hooper in the Steven Spielberg classic. 

Into The Deep

The plot of Into The Deep centers around a crew of divers searching for—no surprises here—sunken treasure. However, no search for sunken treasure is complete without inadvertently witnessing a drug deal and murder by modern-day pirates. However, Richard Dreyfuss and company have more on their plate, as this gruesome encounter pales in comparison to a more significant threat.

That would be a lethal great white shark, hungering for human flesh, preventing their escape from the depths. IMDb implies the narrative ensures an excess of terror, thrills, and high-octane moments reminiscent of the 1975 classic film that inspired Into The Deep and countless others. 

When Will The Film Release?

The film, directed by Christian Sesma, is currently in its post-production phase and is slated to hit theaters later this year. Jaws fans might know that, sadly, Dreyfuss is the only surviving cast member who was part of the crew of the “Orca,” the famous, shark-battling boat from the Spielberg blockbuster. 

Richard Dreyfuss In Piranha

Richard Dreyfuss would seem to have a special place in his heart for aquatically themed projects. After all, the actor made a cameo as a character very much like Hooper in the 2010 remake of Piranha. Of all people, Spielberg once described the original film, created in 1978, as the best Jaws derivative. Dreyfuss also appeared in the remake of Poseidon Adventure.His co-stars in the upcoming film include Scout Taylor-Compton, who horror fans know from her work in Rob Zombie’s Halloween franchise, as well as Stuard Townsend, famed for their work in Queen of the Damned and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. 

While Richard Dreyfuss suggested, in the past, that updates to the mechanical shark effects in Jaws should be explored to cater to modern viewers, how Into The Deep will portray the shark is anyone’s guess. Of course, the more cynical can be forgiven for anticipating heavy doses of CGI. 

Jaws Catapulted The Actor’s Career

Dreyfuss first became prominent in the early 1970s, acting in films like American Graffiti and The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, demonstrating his singular range and depth in both movies. Of course, his role as Matt Hooper in Steven Spielgerg’s cultural institution, Jaws—the film to define “blockbuster” from there on out and make a generation scared to get in the water—catapulted him to international fame. 

Post-Jaws

Richard Dreyfuss’s compelling and authentic portrayal contributed significantly to the film’s financial and critical success. His career flourished with significant projects like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (also with Spielberg) and The Goodbye Girl. The actor earned the Academy Award for Best Actor for the latter film—becoming the youngest actor to do so.But his contribution to Jaws likely springs to mind whenever you mention the name “Richard Dreyfuss.” So we couldn’t be more excited about his involvement in this new film. Source: IMDb