The Meg: ‘Horrifying, DISGUSTING’ death scenes DELETED – director reveals why

In a new interview, Jon Turteltaub has explained that the PG-13 rating that was necessary to reach a broader audience stopped him from including more “horrifying” death sequences.

“I am so disappointed the film wasn’t more bloody or disgusting,” he told Bloody Disgusting.

“My wife is glad about it and I’m glad my kids can see the movie, but the number of really horrifying, disgusting and bloody deaths we had lined up that we didn’t get to do is tragic.”

And hinting that some gruesome moments did get made but ended up being trimmed out, he added: “There was some really good s**t that didn’t survive to the final cut.

“We shot or even did a lot of visual effects for [gory scenes].

“We just realised there’s no way we’re keeping this PG-13 if we show this. It’s too fun a movie to not let people who don’t like blood and people who are under, say, 14 years old into the theatre.

“I was very hesitant to cut out a lot of blood and gore. I wouldn’t have if I thought it was wrecking the story but it wasn’t. It still looked okay.

“I’ll sit down privately with your audience and take them through some really nasty s**t.”

As it is, The Meg is still a tense, action-packed caper; starring Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson and Ruby Rose.

Statham had to master swimming with sharks for his lead role, but was unphased by the prospect.

“To swim in close proximity to a big, three metre shark, is to be recommended to all and everyone,” he told the Daily Star.

“You get very relaxed. When you’re in their environment, it’s quite a tranquil sort of thing. It’s remarkable to experience.

“All of the fear or the perceived fear is done in your own head before you get down there with them. Once you’re swimming down there with all the other divers, it’s phenomenal.

“It’s one of the greatest experiences you could have.”

The 50-year-old has also nixed any speculation that he could replace Daniel Craig as James Bond.

The Meg is out on Friday.