Merrick here...
Variety says that McG's 20, 000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA project...the one in which McG wanted to cast Will Smith...has spun apart and won't happen. At least, it won't happen under McG's guidance.
The picture, tentatively scheduled to begin production in February, has been halted indefinitely, and McG is no longer steering the ship.
The studio confirmed that it won't proceed with the film for now, and reps for the director confirmed he has withdrawn.
[EDIT]
Disney's next big water-based shoot will likely be the fourth installment of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Pic is expected to set sail in May, with Rob Marshall in talks to direct.
..says Variety HERE.
An early draft of this project's script drew considerable ire from the Geek sector (script review HERE), whose ire was fanned by the release of the director's much ballyhooed (but roundly unsatisfying) TERMINATOR SALVATION. Before T SAL's release, McG trumpeted his team's concept for a fifth TERMINATOR installment (details HERE); their involvement is now uncertain due to the TERMINATOR franchise being up for sale (more HERE).
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