The only surviving full-scale shark model from the original "Jaws" has been installed at the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Suspended 30 feet above the third floor of the building its the largest object in the museum’s collection to date.
The 25-foot long, 1208-pound model took a whole week to install and it actually looks a whole lot more real than I had imagined.
The original mechanical shark was rumored to be named Bruce by director Spielberg, appropriately, after his lawyer. The name has stuck for 45 years. This makes a lightbulb moment go off for me as in the Pixar movie, Finding Nemo, the shark character is named Bruce too, after this guy hanging in the museum.
“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,” said Academy Museum Director and President Bill Kramer. “We look forward to our opening when museum visitors can engage with our exhibitions, experience our beautiful Renzo Piano-designed building, and come face to face with one of the most iconic characters in film history.”