Disney has at least temporarily pulled the plug on production of its big-budgeted adaptation of "The Lone Ranger," which was set for released in December 2012.
The project features producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski and actor Johnny Depp, who teamed together for a little project called "Pirates of the Caribbean."
According to reports, the issue at hand is one of money, namely the large budget, which is in the range of $200 million.
The concern surrounds the fact that the film is a western, which has not exactly lit the box office aflame lately. "Cowboys & Aliens," which was a western/sci-fi mash-up, has brought in $76 million domestically to date on a budget of $163 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
"Pirates of the Caribbean," on the other hand, includes two of the 10 films to cross the billion-dollar mark. Verbinski directed the first three films of the franchise. He and Depp re-teamed earlier this year for the animated western "Rango," which drew $123 million domestically and $242 million worldwide on a budget of $135 million.
Right now it's not clear if either side will be quick to blink, either Disney and its demands for a smaller budget or Bruckheimer and Verbinski, who seems to be sticking to their guns. Muddying the waters is the fact that Disney needs to keep Depp, who is set to star as the Ranger's Native American companion Tonto, happy so he'll be back for a fifth "Pirates" film.
Incidentally, Paramount Pictures announced this week it is releasing the adaptation of Max Brook's "World War Z" the same weekend as "The Lone Ranger," on Dec. 21, 2012.
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| Johnny Depp |
According to reports, the issue at hand is one of money, namely the large budget, which is in the range of $200 million.
The concern surrounds the fact that the film is a western, which has not exactly lit the box office aflame lately. "Cowboys & Aliens," which was a western/sci-fi mash-up, has brought in $76 million domestically to date on a budget of $163 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
"Pirates of the Caribbean," on the other hand, includes two of the 10 films to cross the billion-dollar mark. Verbinski directed the first three films of the franchise. He and Depp re-teamed earlier this year for the animated western "Rango," which drew $123 million domestically and $242 million worldwide on a budget of $135 million.
Right now it's not clear if either side will be quick to blink, either Disney and its demands for a smaller budget or Bruckheimer and Verbinski, who seems to be sticking to their guns. Muddying the waters is the fact that Disney needs to keep Depp, who is set to star as the Ranger's Native American companion Tonto, happy so he'll be back for a fifth "Pirates" film.
Incidentally, Paramount Pictures announced this week it is releasing the adaptation of Max Brook's "World War Z" the same weekend as "The Lone Ranger," on Dec. 21, 2012.
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