Exploring the Unmade ‘Jaws’ Sequel with a Wild Title and Plot

Prior to the infamous Jaws: The Revenge effectively ending the legacy of the shark film franchise, an unexpected comedy spoof titled Jaws 3, People 0 was once on the horizon, conceived by the director of Gremlins.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws—a film that not only achieved phenomenal success upon its release on June 20, 1975, but also established the template for the summer blockbuster—it’s worth revisiting the tale of a sequel that never reached the silver screen.

Jaws was an unprecedented sensation at the box office, concluding 1975 as the highest-grossing film in history. Its sequel, Jaws 2, released in 1978, also garnered considerable financial success, leading to discussions about a third installment, where things took a surreal twist.

Unpacking the Concept of ‘Jaws 3, People 0′

The 'Jaws 3, People 0' script. — Universal Pictures

Initially dubbed Jaws 3, People Nothing, this project emerged from the creative mind of Matty Simmons, publisher of National Lampoon. The film was intended as a satirical take on the original epic.

Sitting near Jaws producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown, Simmons jestingly proposed the title, recalling a ridiculous scenario where Peter Benchley (the author of the novel upon which Jaws is based) dives into his swimming pool, only to vanish mysteriously. Simmons remarked, “I love it, I love it, I’ll call you tomorrow. We’re going to make this movie.”

Bringing this comedic vision to life, Simmons enlisted screenwriters John Hughes and Tod Carroll to elaborate on the narrative, which included cameos by Steven Spielberg, a Quint-like character named Pierre Cockatoo, and a surreal beach scene substituting teenagers with Hollywood executives. Additionally, a comedic twist featured various odd items being retrieved from a shark’s stomach, including cannabis.

Joe Dante: The Man Behind the Lens

Joe Dante looking through a camera. — Warner Bros.

Famed director Joe Dante, who originally helmed Piranha in 1978—a movie often cited as either an homage or an imitation of Jaws—was considered for this unusual project. Dante recalls how Universal was initially concerned over Piranha‘s release coinciding with Jaws 2 and even threatened legal action.

However, Spielberg intervened, clarifying that Dante’s work was a parody rather than a direct copy, which ultimately facilitated Dante’s opportunity to direct Jaws 3, People 0. Yet, despite his initial enthusiasm, disagreements about the project’s tone and target audience thwarted its development.

Dante noted, “The National Lampoon team envisioned an R-rated comedy akin to Animal House, while the conservative vision of Zanuck and Brown leaned towards a PG approach suitable for family viewing.”

Ultimately, the clash of these contrasting creative visions made the production unfeasible, leading to the project’s cancellation as Dante reflects, “You can’t have two powerful interests like National Lampoon and Zanuck/Brown at odds throughout the entire process. It simply wasn’t going to work.”

Consequently, Jaws 3, People 0 was never produced, and instead audiences were left with the much-derided Jaws 3D, a film that, rather than thrilling, drew laughter for its shortcomings.

For those intrigued by shark-themed content, the Sharksploitation documentary is currently streaming on Shudder. Additionally, for more action inspired by Jaws, feel free to check our review of Dangerous Animals, which was created as a direct response to the original classic.

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