Gonna need a smaller boat - Jaws legend Richard Dreyfuss drops out of largest ever reunion party

A reunion of the cast of Jaws has been thrown into doubt after lead actor Richard Dreyfuss was forced to pull out. The Oscar winner, who played marine biologist and oceanographer Matt Hooper in the 1975 blockbuster , canceled an appearance at a cast reunion event later this month citing “circumstances completely beyond my control.” Dreyfuss, 78, previously pulled out of an appearance at SharkCon last summer when he was hospitalised with viral bronchitis and now won't be joining fellow cast and crew celebrating Steven Spielberg monster classic , Jaws at a Burbank, Calif. fan convention, Hollywood Show on May 30. Dreyfuss wrote on Instagram: “To all the incredible fans, my JAWS cast family, and everyone involved in making this reunion possible — I want to share how deeply grateful I am for the love and excitement surrounding this special event. “It truly breaks my heart that I won’t be able to attend the reunion at The Hollywood Show May 29th & 30th. Please know this was never the outcome I hoped for.

Due to circumstances completely beyond my control, it has become impossible for me to be there in person.” Jaws recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and it was expected that the largest reunion of the film’s cast would show at the bash in California. 11 people connected to Jaws were advertised including Dreyfuss, Carl Gottlieb, Jeffrey Kramer, Jeffrey Voorhees, Joe Alves, Ted Grossman, Robert Tanenbaum, Stephen Searle, Jonathan Searle, Carla Hogendyk, and Greg Dole. Dreyfuss, also famous for his role in another Steven Spielberg movie - The Close Encounters of the Third Kind, added: “My heart is absolutely with my fellow cast members who will be attending. Sharing this journey with them has been one of the greatest blessings of my life, and I know they’ll make this celebration unforgettable. "I hope everyone attending gives them the warmest welcome and all the love they deserve!

To the fans — thank you for carrying this story with you through the years. Your passion, kindness, and support have meant more than words can ever properly express. The connection we’ve shared through the years is something I will always treasure. And to the creators, organizers, and caretakers of this legacy, thank you for continuing to honour what brought all of us together in the first place.” Dreyfuss continued: “While I may not be there physically, I’ll certainly be there in spirit.

I hope the weekend is filled with laughter, memories, celebration, and the kind of joy this fandom has always created so beautifully. With love and gratitude always.” Jaws invented the modern "summer blockbuster" when it was released on June 20, 1975. It became the first film to gross over $100million at the box office and pioneered marketing with heavy TV advertising. Three follow-up movies failed to match the original's success, however more recently there have been whispers that Hollywood could be ready to revive the franchise for a fifth movie.

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