Disney has announced that its first-look deal with Jerry Bruckheimer, who's produced such Disney staples as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'National Treasure' movies, will end when the current contract expires next year. This follows the studio's biggest flop in recent memory, 'The Lone Ranger,' which was projected to lose millions, but Disney assures everyone this decision has nothing to do with that disaster.

In a statement, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn said, "Jerry is one of the most respected and prolific producers working in the motion picture industry, and we have had an incredibly successful collaboration over the past two decades and he is a friend to many of us here at Disney. We will continue to work together in the future, and we look forward to seeing more of the films that have made Jerry Bruckheimer a Hollywood legend."

Bruckheimer's latest project for Disney was producing the Gore Verbinski-directed 'Lone Ranger' film of this past summer, starring Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp. Disney projected the movie, which was made on a $215 million production budget, would lose them between $160 to $190 million dollars. As of now, 'The Lone Ranger' has brought in $224 million worldwide.

However, this has no impact on this severing of ties, says Disney. "Bruckheimer is looking to produce more mature films outside the scope of the Disney brand," while the studio is more focused on expanding existing brands, like Marvel and 'Star Wars.'

As for Bruckheimer, he said, "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.’"

Bruckheimer has worked on a total of 27 movies over the course of this 20-year-long first-look deal. His next project for Disney will be 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,' which is currently eyeing a 2016 release.

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