It was nearly 50 years ago now that Jaws swam into cinemas and shocked theater goers. In its wake it left numerous sequels and rip-offs like Orca, Jaws 2, Piranha, The Last Shark, Jaws 3-D, Monster Shark, and Jaws: The Revenge to name only a handful. But you knew about those already, didn't you? But what about the sequels and rip-offs that never surfaced to terrify audiences... movies like Bert I. Gordon's Devil Fish, Dino De Laurentiis's Orca Part II, and John Sayles' Sea Dragon of Loch Ness, ever hear about those? What about the spoof Jaws 3, People 0, that eventually became Jaws 3-D? Did you know Jaws 2 began shooting with a different cast, director, and a darker version of the script before it was retooled by studio executives? And lastly, were there ever any real plans for a Jaws 5? From the author of Kong Unmade: The Lost Films of Skull Island take a deep dive into the murky history of the Jaws sequels, prequels, remakes, and rip-offs that never saw the light of day in Jaws Unmade!

One of the most influential thrillers in media history, Jaws first surfaced as a best-selling novel by first-time novelist Peter Benchley in 1974, followed by the 1975 feature film directed by Steven Spielberg at the beginning of his storied career. Jaws is often considered the first "blockbuster," and successive generations of filmmakers have cited it as formative in their own creative development. For nearly 50 years, critics and scholars have studied how and why this seemingly straightforward thriller holds such mass appeal. This book of original essays assembles a range of critical thought on the impact and legacy of the film, employing new perspectives--historical, cinematic, literary, scientific and environmental--while building on the insights of previous writers. While varying in focus, the essays in this volume all explore why Jaws was so successful in its time and how it remains a prominent storytelling influence well into the 21st century.

It was nearly 50 years ago now that Jaws swam into cinemas and shocked theatergoers. In its wake it left numerous sequels and rip-offs like Orca, Jaws 2, Piranha, The Last Shark, Jaws 3-D, Monster Shark, and Jaws: The Revenge to name only a handful. You knew about those already, though, didn't you? But what about the sequels and rip-offs that never surfaced to terrify audiences... movies like Bert I. Gordon's Devil Fish, Dino De Laurentiis's Orca Part II, and John Sayles' Sea Dragon of Loch Ness, ever hear of those? Or, did you know Jaws 2 began shooting with a different cast, director, and a darker version of the script before it was retooled by studio executives? Did you know the third Jaws movie was a spoof entitled Jaws 3, People 0? And lastly, were there ever any real plans for a Jaws 5? From the author of Kong Unmade: The Lost Films of Skull Island, take a deep dive into the murky history of the Jaws sequels, prequels, remakes, and rip-offs that never saw the light of day in Jaws Unmade...

Jaws divides critics into those who dismiss it as infantile and sensational, and those who see the shark as freighted with political and psychosexual meaning. The author argues that both interpretations obscure the film's success as a work of art.

Insightful interviews of horror legends George Romero, John Landis, Joe Dante, Brian Yuzna, and more, by former editor-in-chief of Rue Morgue, Dave Alexander, about the scariest horror movies never made! Take a behind-the-scenes look into development hell to find the most frightening horror movies that never were, from unmade Re-Animator sequels to alternate takes on legendary franchises like Frankenstein and Dracula! Features art, scripts, and other production material from unmade films that still might make you scream--with insights from dozens of directors, screenwriters, and producers with decades of experience. Featured Interviews With: George A. Romero John Landis Joe Dante Vincenzo Natali Brian Yuzna William Lustig William Malone Buddy Giovinazzo Tim Sullivan Richard Raaphorst Ruggero Deodato Jim Shooter Bob Layton David J. Skal

Just like Godzilla, Gamera and their kaiju kin, King Kong was to be the star of many an unmade film. In this new book learn of a plethora of prequels, sequels, and even in-between-quels to the 1933 King Kong. From Merian C. Cooper himself came ideas for The New Adventures of King Kong (1933) to chronicle Kong and Denham's journey to New York; Tarzan vs. King Kong (1934), a Technicolor prequel set on Skull Island; and Space Kong (1969), a psychedelic sequel set in space! Learn the tragic history behind Willis O'Brien's King Kong vs. Frankenstein that lead to the making of King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) plus Kong's original starring role in what became Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966). Unmade remakes like The Legend of King Kong plus unmade sequels to Dino De Laurentiis's King Kong (1976) and King Kong Lives (1986) are also covered. In addition to these unmade films, readers can also explore the detailed histories behind these Kong imitators: Konga (1961), The Mighty Gorga (1969), Queen Kong (1976), A*P*E (1976), and Mighty Peking Man (1977).

Joe Alves: Designing JAWS provides the production designer's view into the development of this world-renowned film. Included are Joe's stunning pre-production illustrations; handwritten location and production notes; on-set photographs; blueprints of the shark's design; and first-time publication of his complete catalog of storyboards. Joe Alves: Designing JAWS is a must-have addition to every film reference library. Universal Studios' JAWS is one of the most compelling and enduring movies ever made. Thrilling generations of audiences worldwide with its tight plot, memorable characters, and ground-breaking special effects - those that brought the great white shark to terrifying life even after many said it couldn't be done. Buoyed by an energetic young director, Steven Spielberg, and through collaboration with trusted and equally determined production designer Joe Alves, the two proved integral to the making of this classic motion picture. Painstakingly compiled and written by Joe Alves' biographer and JAWS expert, Dennis Prince, Joe Alves: Designing JAWS is a must-have addition to every film reference library.