Key Takeaways:
– George Lucas once got stuck inside the mechanical shark used in the movie ‘Jaws‘, due to a prank by Steven Spielberg.
– Spielberg and Lucas’s friendship has been going strong since they initially met at a film festival in 1967.
– Spielberg is said to still profit from their bet over ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’.
The Past Playfulness of Spielberg and Lucas
One of the lesser-known stories from the annals of Hollywood involves high-profile filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and the mechanical shark from the iconic movie ‘Jaws’. The duo, known for their game-changing contributions to the industry and mutual commendation, has had shared jovial times in the past that could have resulted in unanticipated consequences.
Masterminds Spielberg and Lucas; Unforgettable Cinematic Contributions
Starting their cinematic journey in the 1970s, Spielberg and Lucas have a long history of association, resulting in some of the biggest blockbusters. Their notable collaboration includes the iconic Indiana Jones series, a significant symbol in the cinema. Both have often professed their joy of working together, underlining their mutual adulation.
Budding Friendship and Shared Dedication
The initial seeds of their relationship were sown when they met at a film festival in 1967, where Lucas was presenting his short film, THX 1138 4EB. Spielberg, impressed by Lucas’ short film, compared it to his work, acknowledging Lucas’ as superior. This mutual admiration and respect for each other led to the building blocks of their enduring friendship.
Pranking Could Have Proved Expensive
An amusing incident that could have ended on a troublesome note occurred during the pre-production of the 1975 thriller film, ‘Jaws’. Lucas, paying his friend Spielberg a visit during the tedious process, got trapped inside the mechanical shark being prepared for the movie and remained stuck for an extended time due to a subsequent malfunction.
Antics and the Resulting Alarm
Fascinated by the intricacy of animatronics and mechanical effects, Lucas was examining the shark when Spielberg decided to playfully trap him by closing the shark’s mouth. The innocent prank took a serious turn when the mechanical shark malfunctioned, causing a mild panic in the room. Once Lucas was eventually freed, they hastily departed the scene, fearing they might have damaged the invaluable prop.
Spielberg’s Bet on Star Wars Success
Spielberg’s faith in Lucas’s work did not falter when many predicted Star Wars to be a failure. He believed in Lucas’s vision so strongly that they placed a bet where Lucas would offer a percentage of his sci-fi epic’s takings in return for the same from Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’. This deal still proves profitable to Spielberg, more than four decades after its initiation.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas continue to reflect the brilliance of their camaraderie, showing the power of an enduring friendship in the world of cinema. Their joint risk-taking, creativity, and unwavering support continue to inspire future filmmakers. Their shared adventures, including incidents like Lucas’s comic entrapment in the mechanical shark, add color to their enduring journey together, which has fundamentally reshaped Hollywood.
