Coincidence? Just weeks after IESB.net posted a pretty negative review of the script for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, THR is announcing that Disney has snagged a new screenwriter to shape up the McG-directed film. Of course neither the studios or the trades would ever admit to listening to online chatter, but you've got to wonder if the opinion of the unwashed masses had an impact here.

After all, McG has been well-documented (and roundly criticized in these parts) for wanting fan approval like some desperate puppy. So it really wouldn't surprise me if the director got word of negative reaction to the script and canned the screenwriter. Regardless of McG's motives, Justin Marks is now on board to act as a "world builder," fleshing out the under-the-sea universe in the film. Marks only has one feature to his name-- the not-exactly-anticipated Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li-- but Disney must have seen something positive in him to bring him on board.