Even though Sandra Bullock has nailed it classically in multiple other roles, one of her most real dramas was in none other than Speed. Not only was the masterpiece widely commended by critics and general viewers alike, but it is also regarded among some of the best performances to date from the film’s three prominent leads, i.e., Keanu Reeves, Bullock, and Jeff Daniels.
Surprisingly enough, even though the action-thriller later granted them such impeccable fame in their respective careers, there was a time when Daniels almost turned down his iconic role. However, thanks to a series of fortunate turn of events, not only did he end up starring in the film, but he also took an unlikely inspiration from the late Roy Scheider in one Steven Spielberg movie!
Jeff Daniels Took Inspiration From Roy Scheider in Jaws for Speed
The late Roy Scheider truly gave an immaculate performance as Martin Brody in the iconic gem from 1975, Jaws. So much so that he was thoroughly commended by critics for the same. But what could possibly have been so similar between Steven Spielberg‘s masterwork and the 1994 action masterpiece that Daniels took inspiration from him?
As it turns out, it was the reaction that Daniels held when the bomb was about to blow up into his face in the Keanu Reeves-starrer and that Scheider had on his face when he saw the shark in Spielberg’s film. And just to figure out how to immaculately enact that scene with his facial features, Jeff Daniels took inspiration from how Scheider acted his respective scene out.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Daniels recalled the same as he said:
“The moment in [the movie] is, I’ve got to turn and look at the thermostat and understand that’s not a thermostat… that’s a timer for a bomb. And it’s 3, 2, 1, and it’s about to blow up. So I’m going, ‘how am I going to do that?’ Do I make faces? Do I cry? What do I do?”
The Dumb and Dumber actor then shared how he saw Scheider’s interview, where he revealed just how he made that iconic face in the Spielberg-helmed masterpiece. As Daniels said:
“Roy said, ‘Well, I looked down, and when I looked over at the shark, I made sure my cheek muscles were a little up. And then I just dropped them.'”
That’s exactly what Daniels did as well: He looked at the thermostat and used Scheider’s exact same method to bring out the same facial reaction. And, surprisingly enough, that turned out as perfectly as it could be, with more than just a few viewers moved to death by his tragic death scene in the Sandra Bullock-starrer.
Before This, Jeff Daniels Almost Turned Down His Role in Speed
The part of Harry, aka Keanu Reeves’ officer Jack Travern‘s friend cum partner, was one of the most notable roles in the 1994 action-thriller, and Daniels’ death in the role only made his character all the more lovable to fans. However, as surprising as it may be, there was a time when The Newsroom star almost turned it down.
As he recalled during the same appearance on the talk show:
“I remember getting the script, and I died on page 22. I died in the elevator shaft. I said ‘the career’s in trouble but it’s not in that much trouble.’ I’m gonna pass.”
But then came his agent into the picture to save the day through a later draft. As Daniels revealed:
“The agent said ‘hang on! There’s another draft coming. You die later.’ And it did, [my death] came on about page 80. I’m going, ‘okay well, I’ll do it.’ And Keanu [Reeves] and [Sandra Bullock]… Happy to do it.”
Well, Daniels may be just happy to do it, but we’re way more than just glad we could see him in that fan-favorite role!
You can watch Speed and Jaws on Prime Video.
