Funko Literally Turned Iconic Jaws Poster into an Actual Funko POP! (PICS)

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As a movie enthusiast, I can confidently say that among the countless movie poster designs throughout history, none are as iconic as Roger Kastel’s hauntingly simple masterpiece for the original summer blockbuster, Jaws. This timeless classic, directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg, is now available to stream on Peacock, along with its three sequels.

After about fifty years, the picture of a woman swimming while being pursued by a ravenous great white shark surfacing from the deepest and darkest parts of the sea has become one of the most enduring visual icons – it’s been replicated, paid tribute to, and made fun of in countless ways.

In 2023, at the ripe age of 92, Kastel drew inspiration from the shark exhibits housed within the American Museum of Natural History.

Interestingly, contrary to the impression given by the painting, the main sea creature depicted wasn’t a great white shark but a short fin mako shark. The unfortunate woman on the water’s surface was Allison Maher Stern, a professional model who later championed marine conservation. During a photo shoot in New York, directed by Kastel, Allison followed instructions like “Swim faster!” and “Watch out, shark!”.

This revised version maintains the original meaning while aiming for a more natural and easy-to-read style.

Due to the revered place this artwork holds in pop culture, it’s not unexpected that Funko has created a new POP! figure as tribute for the movie reaching its 50th anniversary this summer. You can now pre-order it on Amazon before its release on September 30, priced at $24.99. This item is part of Funko’s VHS Cover line, which was introduced in 2022 and capitalizes on nostalgia.

It looks like you’ll require a larger shelf due to Funko’s extensive tribute for the 50th anniversary of ‘Jaws’. As Jason Bischoff, VP of Licensing and Business Development, shared in an exclusive interview with SYFY WIRE, our creative team has truly outdone themselves. Alongside new versions of Quint, Hooper, and a POP! Super of the Great White Shark (with shallow water light effect), they’ve also replicated the chilling poster of ‘Jaws’ in their unique style. The original artwork includes Chrissie floating above and the iconic great white shark lurking beneath her – a testament to the lasting power of movie magic, as only Funko can achieve.

For More on Jaws

Exploring Jaws at 50: The Roles of Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg in the Iconic Shark Saga

The Unlikely Journey of a Future Reagan Administration Member to Become the “Coast Guard Sonar Operator” in Jaws

George Lucas Predicted the Success of Jaws Before Steven Spielberg Realized It

Check out new Funko POP! inspired by iconic poster for Steven Spielberg’s Jaws

It’s important to mention that the creation of this project wouldn’t have been possible without Paul Bacon’s initial artwork on the book cover for Peter Benchley’s novel with the same title. The movie made in 1975 was based on this very book.

According to a 2015 report from The New York Post, the artwork by Kastel was specifically created for the paperback version of the book, although the creators of “Jaws” were granted permission to utilize it for the movie’s poster without charge. When interviewed about his inspiration, Kastel pointed to the early chapters of the novel where Chrissie Watkins is the shark’s initial victim as being the primary source that influenced his creation.

He remembered thinking the image was fantastic,” he said. “During our conversation, I quickly sketched a rough draft for Bantam’s art director, Len Leones, who agreed to it. He instructed me to enlarge the shark and make it appear more lifelike.

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2025-07-22 22:16