The Walt Disney Studios announces that it won't renew its first-look deal with the prolific movie producer when it expires next year.
- Sep 20, 2013
AceShowbiz - The Walt Disney Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer's longtime partnership will end in 2014. The production company has released an official statement to announce that both parties have agreed not to renew their first-look deal when the deal expires next year.
Disney states that it will focus on its branded properties including Disney, Pixar, Marvel and the recently-acquired Lucasfilm. Bruckheimer, meanwhile, is looking to produce more mature films outside the scope of the Disney brand.
The two's latest joint project will be the fifth installment of "Pirates of Caribbean" movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales". The film was recently pushed back from 2015 to summer 2016, with Bruckheimer citing script issues.
"I am very appreciative of the wonderful collaboration and support I have had at The Walt Disney Company for over twenty years and the twenty-seven movies we have made together," Bruckheimer says in the statement. "The good news is we will continue working together on 'Pirates of the Caribbean', 'National Treasure' and other projects we have developed together at the studio."
He adds, "I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with these amazing people at The Walt Disney Studios, many of whom have become my good friends. As we continue to make adventure films, we look forward to returning to films like 'Black Hawk Down', 'Enemy of the State', 'Beverly Hills Cop', and 'The Rock'."
The announcement comes in the wake of "The Lone Ranger" flop which could cost the studio up to $190 million in losses. However, Bruckheimer says his decision to part ways with Disney is not caused by the disappointing box office performance of the action comedy movie.
"It's time for us to tackle all kinds of movies, not just Disney movies," he explains the real reason of his exit. "It's not about 'Lone Ranger'. It's more about the types of movies Disney is making, and the types of movies we want to make, in addition to 'Pirates'. We had discussions to try to revitalize Touchstone, but they don't want to do it."
Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn also tells The Hollywood Reporter, "This is about a long-term relationship with lots of pluses and minuses. 'The Lone Ranger' certainly didn't help things, but we all have our wins and our losses, and this is an overall thing related to the company's supply of projects from all these other places."
