Disney Wants Bruckheimer to Be the Happiest Producer on Earth

Now, Disney is working to make sure its own biggest marquee producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, stays in the fold.

Much is at stake for Disney in keeping Bruckheimer happy. For more than a decade, the producer has delivered the kind of large-scale, adrenaline-laced films the studio needs to anchor its yearly movie slate.

Among his Disney blockbusters: "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Armageddon," "The Rock," "Crimson Tide" and, most recently, "National Treasure."

Disney and Bruckheimer -- who have been in business together since 1991 -- have been in negotiations for nearly a year to extend the producer's longtime deal with the studio. Bruckheimer said his representatives planned to meet with Disney over the next several weeks to try to resolve any outstanding issues.

One area being negotiated would add creating action-packed video games to Bruckheimer's portfolio. Bruckheimer has been courted by game developers and is eager to expand into the business. Disney, meanwhile, is moving back into developing its own games and wants to have Bruckheimer be a part of it. This week, Disney announced that it was buying a small Utah video game developer and investing in a Canadian venture.

Disney and Bruckheimer also must agree on how much of the profits from DVD sales and other revenue streams the producer will share. With Bruckheimer already one of Hollywood's highest-paid producers, Disney may have to find other, creative ways to give him even more money, such as cutting him in on a larger chunk of the DVD pie.

Disney's brass and Bruckheimer say they are hopeful they can come to terms on all matters and continue what has been a hugely successful partnership.

"Jerry's been our power hitter for many years, and it is our desire for him to continue to be our power hitter for years to come," said Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios.

Bruckheimer, who is currently shooting two "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequels back to back, also expressed a desire to extend his run there.

"I've had a phenomenal relationship over the past 15 years with Dick Cook and his team, and I hope we continue for another 15 years," Bruckheimer said.

Cook said it was not at all unusual that such complicated contract talks drag on, noting that it happened when Bruckheimer's previous deal expired: "We've always operated on a going-forward basis."