The internet was briefly convinced a new installment in the iconic Jaws franchise was in the works, potentially starring Scarlett Johansson. The buzz, fueled by increasingly realistic AI-generated content, ultimately proved to be a hoax, highlighting the growing challenges of discerning fact from fiction online. The incident underscores the ease with which misinformation can spread, even regarding beloved cultural touchstones like the 1975 blockbuster.
The fabricated story centered around a supposed reboot titled Jaws: New Blood, set to revisit the shark-infested waters off Long Island. The initial spark came from AI-created concept trailers circulating on platforms like YouTube, which depicted a plausible continuation of the original film’s narrative. The speed at which the rumor gained traction demonstrates the power of synthetic media to deceive, even for those aware of its existence. The proliferation of AI-generated content is raising concerns about the future of online authenticity and the potential for widespread manipulation.
The Daily Jaws, a fan account dedicated to the original film, quickly debunked the claims. “We are pleased and happy to repeat the news that a new JAWS movie is NOT currently in production,” the account posted on Instagram. “This rumor has likely approach about from the AI/fan-made concept trailers you can find on YouTube.”
The fabricated plot, as outlined in the initial posts, envisioned a new wave of shark attacks in the same coastal community terrorized in the original Jaws. The storyline proposed a new team of characters tasked with hunting down the predatory creatures. The posts even went so far as to name Anthony Jaswinski, the writer of The Shallows, as the scriptwriter and suggested a potential summer 2028 release date, with Johansson or Dakota Johnson eyed for the lead role.
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