JAWS Shark To Terrorize Academy Museum Visitors in April 2021
Mike Sprague
|
Bruce from Steven Spielberg‘s Jaws lives again! The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures snagged the only surviving version back in 2016. And on Friday, they finished up the installation. It will finally open to the public on April 30, 2021.
Check out the install video below:
Here are the JAWS facts as we know them:
- Weight: 1208 lbs
- Materials: fiberglass body, acrylic paint with urethane top-coat, urethane plastic (teeth), acrylic (eyes), steel support (internal structure)
- Fourth shark cast and last one surviving from the original shark mold for Jaws
- 7-month restoration performed by Greg Nicotero, a special effects and make-up artist and co-founder of the award-winning KNB EFX Group.
- 116 teeth
- At 25 feet long, this is the largest object in the Museum’s collection, which also includes items from Jaws II
President of the Academy Museum said: “It’s been a long journey for Bruce since he was acquired in 2016. And we couldn’t be happier to welcome him to his new home. We look forward to our opening when museum visitors can engage with… and come face to face with one of the most iconic characters in film history.”
But it wasn’t easy. The Academy explains:
“The creation of the infamous mechanical shark—which director Steven Spielberg (a member of the Motion Picture Academy’s Board of Governors) is rumored to have named “Bruce” after his lawyer—was tasked to art director Joe Alves, whose original schematics depict the 25-foot-long body, 400-pound head, and jaws nearly five feet wide. The three screen-used production molds cast in latex and rubber rotted and were destroyed. “
They continue: “The Academy Museum’s version, cast in fiberglass for photo opportunities at Universal Studios Hollywood surrounding the film’s 1975 release, survived at Universal until 1990 when it found its way to Nathan Adlen’s family’s junkyard business in Sun Valley, California. Roy Arbogast, a member of the original Jaws film’s special effects crew, authenticated it in 2010. And in 2016, the Academy Museum acquired the shark model through a contribution by Nathan Adlen. Greg Nicotero worked with The museum meticulously restore the fiberglass shark which had deteriorated from being outdoors for 25 years.”
Will you visit Bruce this spring?
Make sure to let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also hit me up over on Twitter @MikeSpregg325.
Categorized:News
