National Treasure 3 is still happening

Or so they say.

The third installment of National Treasure, starring Nicolas Cage, was rumored to be released in December 2011. That obviously didn't happen and the expected release was shifted to December 2013. It is already nearing the end of October and we still have no National Treasure 3. It hasn't even entered full pre-production yet. So what is going on with this movie?

Well, director Joe Turteltaub is insistent that a script is being worked on. He and producer Jerry Bruckheimer are still hopeful that the film will happen by 2015. Turteltaub cites the difficulty of creating a great mystery that is based on historical fact. Not to mention the difficulty of not just recreating the previous two movies. Everyone wants the movie to happen, but no one can seem to get a legitimate script put together. It was already two years ago that Brian Koppelman and David Levien were hired to write the script for National Treasure 3 and we still have nothing.

Maybe this would be the appropriate time to hang it up and just leave it alone. I personally am not a fan of the National Treasure movies, so I wouldn't really care if the third one never happened.

Disney and Bruckheimer part ways

Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have decided to part ways. The two have decided to not renew their contract once it expires next year.

This partnership has been one of the most successful in Hollywood since the 1990's. By ending this partnership Disney will be able to focus more on bigger franchises and sub-divisions such as Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar. It also allows Bruckheimer to produce more adult themed films. However, the partnership will continue for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales as well as a third National Treasure.The fifth Pirates film was recently delayed by Disney in an attempt to lower the insane budget.

Oddly enough it also arrives just months after the Disney/Bruckheimer film The Lone Ranger was one of the biggest financial disasters in Disney history. Fairly recent flops from Bruckheimer also include G-Force, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Jerry Bruckheimer released this statement:

“I am very appreciative of the wonderful collaboration and support I have had at the Walt Disney Company for over twenty years and the 27 movies we have made together. 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. 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.”

I personally see Jerry Bruckheimer as another Michael Bay at this point. Give him $200 million and all you'll get is a disaster with a bunch of crazy stunts and explosions. Adios, Jerry. I don't think Disney will miss you much.