Disney's planned reboot of its most successful theme park-inspired movie franchise has run aground. Deadline reports that Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have dropped out of the project.
You can't shoot a film without a script, so Disney will need to find new writers for the project for it to proceed. Johnny Depp was said not to be attached to this reboot, which rumors suggested by actually be fronted by the female "Redd" characters from the ride's re-imagined Auction scene.
The prospect of a female-driven Pirates movie intrigues, but so did the idea of a Pirates movie written by the team that brought movie-goers the self-aware and shamelessly raunchy Deadpool flicks.
That second prospect is off the table now, and for all we know, so might the first. Fact is, we don't really know anything about what Disney might or might not have planned for its Pirates franchise right now. But Pirates of the Caribbean remains one of Disney's most popular entertainment franchises, thanks to the enduring appeal of all those theme park rides, not to mention the films, which together grossed more than $4.5 billion around the world. It's hard to imagine that Disney won't find some way to keep this franchise fresh — and profitable — in the years ahead.
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Why not make an animated movie remake? Disney is doing it from animation to "live action" all the time.
Why make a re-make??
They should just move on to another theme park attraction to build the next movie franchise around. How about Splash Mountain? Oh wait...
LOL, Russell!!! Though, you know, they probably COULD do a purely animated version of the Brer Rabbit tales....
Regarding Pirates... for the love of all that's holy, can't they just let it rest for a while. There's absolutely no reason for a reboot...
Always liked how USA format DVDs of Song of the South are readily available at Disney theme park merchandise venues overseas:) and glad I was able to view the film as a kid in its last USA theatrical release back in the seventies. Wasn't confused about Uncle Remus back then either. Only America keeps this hidden while multiple generations of park guests in Florida & California seem clueless as to what "Splash Mountain "is based on....
Re: Mr.Meyer's comment
I'm actually quite surprised that Disney hasn't tried to renew that particular branch of their intellectual property catalogue, focusing on the tales of brer Rabbit, and leaving behind the racially charged setting. Heck, make it contemporary. Bring back the songs, re-introduce the animated characters, and stop being ashamed of a movie that inspired one of the best rides in Disney World. I don't disagree that the original is socially unacceptable in its imagery (I actually saw it in the theatres as a kid). That doesn't mean it can't be corrected, and the value of the stories brought back to life.
Also, I've always found it sadly ironic that Disney hides the movie in social shame, when it was the first film to have a male African American actor win an Oscar. Sure, it was for playing a disagreeable racially charged stereotype. But James Baskett's work deserves better than to be ignored.
"What's next for Disney's Pirates?" How about the shelf, where it can collect dust until there is actually demand for another movie based on the ride (if ever). The last two installments have declined significantly in quality and box office gross, so even if Disney tries to relaunch the franchise I have doubts it will be successful at this time. They'd probably be better off investing in a live action Frozen remake.
Yup, though a shame since the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise comes from the original theme park IP. A live action Frozen likely won't happen until the animated film franchise and the Broadway musical run their respective courses though. Would love a Song of the South remake that doesn't either white wash the reconstruction era of the Deep South nor avoids the reality that the original Uncle Remus stories are genuinely products of a troubled era, though Uncle Remus himself is beloved by these children- which is how these stories became part of American literature and popular culture in the first place. They are supposed to be tales the author fondly remembers from his youth thanks to his real bond with the real life inspiration for Uncle Remus.
I hear James Gunn's available.
How about that Haunted Mansion reboot Guillermo del Toro promised us almost a decade ago?
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From what I've read around, Rheese and Wernick were overloaded projects-wise. I hope they didn't burn their bridges with Lord and Miller, because I think they'd do a great job with this property. Honestly, I think they should let the franchise rest a bit.