Why Batman’s Michael Caine Agreed To Star In Jaws 4

Acclaimed actor Michael Caine has had quite the career, but starring in dreadful sequel Jaws 4: The Revenge certainly isn’t one of his highlights. Everyone has to start somewhere, so instances of future Hollywood icons appearing in awful movies early in their careers are both common and understandable. Less understandable is when an already established actor chooses to take part in a film that had to have screamed “this is going to turn out badly” from very early in the development process.

That was definitely the case when it comes to Caine’s supporting but high profile role of charter pilot Hoagie, who in addition to boasting a ridiculous name, ends up being a love interest to the widow of Roy Scheider’s recently deceased Chief Brody. By the time he was cast in Jaws 4: The Revenge, Caine had already been nominated for an Oscar three times, for 1966’s Alfie, 1972’s Sleuth, and 1983’s Educating Rita, and would soon be nominated again for 1986’s Hannah and Her Sisters. Yet, here he was, about to face down a roaring shark that the movie’s novelization implied was a voodoo curse.

So, why did the future Sir Michael Caine – and Batman’s future onscreen butler – decide to slum it by appearing in one of the worst horror sequels ever? He had a few reasons, none of them revolving around the quality of the script.

Why Batman’s Michael Caine Agreed To Star In Jaws 4

As inexplicable as Michael Caine’s casting in Jaws 4: The Revenge might seem at a glance, the distinguished British actor explained his reasoning himself in a 1992 memoir called What’s It All About?. According to Caine, he and his family were preparing to move from Los Angeles to Oxfordshire, England, and were having a house built. Unfortunately, the building costs ended up being way more than anticipated, and Caine was experiencing a bit of a dry spell acting-wise, so things were getting worrisome. Then, Caine was offered what he calls a “tremendous free” to appear in Jaws 4, reportedly around $1.5 million dollars for a week’s work.

The money he made off Jaws 4 enabled Caine to finish building his new home without issue, leading to this amazingly honest quote: “I have never seen the film, but by all accounts it was terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.” Additionally, Caine was enticed by the prospect of filming a movie in the Caribbean, bringing his family along and having what he considers “a great holiday.” Amusingly though, filming Jaws 4 cost Caine the change to accept his first Oscar, as he couldn’t leave set due to a tight production schedule.

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