It would seem that the Aztec Treasure may well truly be cursed...
Ill gotten? Mayhaps... depends on one's perspective, I suppose.
It so happend that long about June, 2002, when the Prop Production Department for Disney Productions put out feelers for props, and called upon Renegade Effects, of Burbank Calif. for a counseltation and examination of Piratical artifacts and various treasures... some of which were Aztec Bronzes.
I had recieved a call from Dragon (Renegade Productions) about a pending counseltation. I had done good business with Dragon on many occasions in the past. He seemed very excited about the propects of working with the Disney people and wanted me to consign some of my Pirate genre and treasure for them to see.
Having worked with Disney in the past, I had a pretty good idea of what was about to transpire. I informed Dragon that most likely, they would want to see everything, ask a lot of questions, take pictures and then go out and find the lowest bidder for production. He was still optomistic.
Renegade went to the Disney production shop with some swords they had made for the movie, and an assortment of artifacts on June 17th, 2002. He had been informed that there was to be a cursed treasure as part of the scenario for the movie, but there hadn't been anything difinitive as of that date.
In and amongst the treasure that was presented by Renegade were three Aztec Bronzes. Interpretations of historical pieces done by the internationally reknowned artist, "O" (his legal name is "Universal O"). There were design elements in the "interpretations" of the Aztec Calendar, the Sacraficial Goddess and the Aztec Warrior King Bonzes that were unique to his work and not in the historical originals. It would seem that these unique design elements also appear on the Medallion from the Cursed Aztec Treasure.
Coinsidental? I wonder?
Ultimately, what I had mentioned to Dragon about the outcome was exactly what happened. They looked, they asked, they took pictures and went out and found the lowest bidder. Renegade Effects got nothing, not a thank you, not an order, nothing.
Sour grapes? I don't think so.
I was fortunate enough to see the Curse of the Black Pearl on July 1, 2003 at a preview screening at the Mann Village in Westwood. Love the movie! I will have to see in another half dozen times before I get my fill of it.
As for the crused treasure... we all know what became of the crew of the Black Pearl...
Lusty Winds My Friends,
Robin St Graves
Medieval Fantasies