Production has halted on Disney’s remake of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, and director McG (Terminator Salvation) has confirmed that he is no longer attached to the project.
The film was to have begun production in February 2010, but appears to be the first casualty of a regime change at Disney which recently installed a new boss, Rich Ross. 20,000 Leagues was put on fast track under the studio’s old boss, Dick Cook. But according to Variety , “event pics like 20,000 Leagues, John Carter Of Mars and Tron are still priority under new chief Rich Ross.” Will Smith had been rumoured to star as Captain Nemo, but no firm casting was ever announced.
McG will now concentrate on Dead Spy Running, a Warner Bros drama written by Stephen Gaghan. McG has also been keen to direct a follow up to Terminator Salvation, but that franchise is being held up by the fact that the current franchise owners are being forced to sell off the property.
