“Jaws” is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The film originally hit theaters during the summer of 1975 and became a genuine cultural phenomenon.
From its iconic score and use of practical effects to its suspenseful storytelling and surprising depth of its characters, Jaws was a cinematic juggernaut that surpassed “The Godfather” as the highest-grossing film in North America at the time and introduced the world to the summer blockbuster idea films still chase today.
Jaws’ 50th anniversary is a good time to bring up the fact that its sequel, “Jaws 2,” was filmed in the Florida Panhandle. The film was primarily shot in Navarre Beach, with scenes shot on Okaloosa Island, Shalimar, Destin and Fort Walton Beach.
Why was Jaws 2 filmed in Navarre Beach, Florida?
Navarre Beach touts itself as Florida’s most relaxing beach, so how did it end up becoming the primary filming location of the sequel to perhaps one of the most iconic movies of all time?
It turns out that it was sort of the right place at the right time.
“Jaws 2” was filmed in Navarre Beach between Aug. 1 and Dec. 22, 1977, and its Emerald Coast waters just so happened to be warm enough and deep enough for the movie’s shark platform.
“I love the way you people ordered the Gulf to be nice and calm,” Jaws 2 publicist Al Ebner told the News Journal in an August 1977 interview. “We couldn’t ask for better weather.”
Jaws 2 filming locations in Florida
Jaws 2 was still set on and around Amity Island, the original film’s setting, but most of the exterior scenes were shot at Navarre Beach and some of the surrounding areas like Okaloosa Island, Shalimar, Destin and Fort Walton Beach. The Choctawhatchee Bay was set as the Atlantic Ocean during filming.
Captain Dave’s on the Destin Harbor and the fishing pier were remodeled to fit a more New England waterfront vibe.
The Hog’s Breath Saloon on Okaloosa Island, which has since moved to Destin, was the filming location for several of the movie’s indoor bar scenes.
A wing of the Navarre Holiday Inn was used as the headquarters of the crew production and dressing rooms.
Cable Junction, another fictional island from the film, was actually constructed for the movie using a floating barge and artificial set dressing.
Jaws 2 was a boon for the local economy
When the Jaws 2 production crew came to Navarre Beach, the plan was to use about $10 million of the film’s budget to go toward hiring local businesses and residents.
The News Journal reported that Universal Studios spent well over $4 million of the $10 million originally budgeted for the Panhandle area.
A chunk of that went to renting out the wing of the Navarre Holiday Inn, but the production also rented a fleet of cars, a helicopter and several studio buildings; bought electrical supplies, lumber and paint for sets and hired more than 200 local residents as extras while filming.
Where to can stream all four Jaws movies
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of Jaws, Peacock is streaming “Jaws,” “Jaws 2,” “Jaws 3” and “Jaws: The Revenge” all month long. You just need a Peacock subscription.
Peacock offers two different plans: Premium and Premium Plus. Let’s break down both:
Contributors: Trisha Easto – USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Jaws turns 50 and its sequel was filmed here on Navarre Beach
Reporting by Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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