# In 1978, Roy Scheider priced himself out of a ‘Best Picture’-winning classic. He thought ‘Jaws 2’ was a safer bet

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1978-roy-scheider-priced-himself-out-of-a-best-picture-winning-classic-he-thought-jaws-2-was-a-safer-bet/
- Published: 2026-11-11T02:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T03:24:39+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1978-roy-scheider-priced-himself-out-best-picture-winning-classic-jaws-2-safer-bet/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Scheider passed on *The Deer Hunter* for *Jaws 2*.
- He reportedly felt his fee did not match the role.
- Robert De Niro became the film’s leading man.

## Summary

Roy Scheider chose to reprise Police Chief Martin Brody in *Jaws 2* rather than star in *The Deer Hunter*, which later won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture. His decision meant the film needed a new lead, and Robert De Niro took the role of Michael Vronsky.

The article says pay was central to Scheider’s choice: he believed his existing deal did not reflect the starring status he expected for *The Deer Hunter*. Producer Thom Mount doubted Scheider had rejected the script, describing it as strong, and said the studio considered De Niro better suited to the role. Scheider had a three-picture deal with Universal, which was also making *Jaws 2*.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.