The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise finds itself adrift for now, with several different projects reportedly in the works but no definitive direction charted.
Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer appear to be exploring two distinct creative avenues, yet a clear course for the series’ future has yet to be locked in.
One is a full reboot, being written by scriptwriter Jeff Nathanson (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Dead Men Tell No Tales) that would feature an entirely new cast, while the other is a spin-off centered around a female lead, potentially starring Margot Robbie (Barbie, The Suicide Squad). Christina Hodson (Bumblebee, The Flash) is working on that script.
Both projects are reportedly in development, but it's still unclear which direction the studio will ultimately choose to pursue.
However, Will Turner actor Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings) is hinting at a potential third option, continuation of the franchise with the original stars, including Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice) and Johnny Depp (Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them).
Appearing on the British talk show This Morning, Bloom stated, "There's been all kinds of things. Who knows? There's been talk. I can't say anything at the moment, because I really don't know. They're definitely... I think they're trying to work out what it would all look like. I, personally, think it would be great to get the band back together. That would be great. But there are always different ideas, so we'll see where it lands."
There have been five live-action Pirates of the Caribbean films to date, with the most recent, Dead Men Tell No Tales, arriving in 2017. That film introduced Brenton Thwaites (Titans) as Henry Turner, the son of Elizabeth and Will.
Bruckheimer has previously hinted that while the planned Pirates of the Caribbean reboot would introduce a fresh cast of characters, there’s still room for familiar faces to return. Fan favorites like Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann could potentially make appearances, serving as a nostalgic bridge to the original saga while the franchise sets sail in a new direction.
What’s the right course for the future of Pirates of the Caribbean? Should Disney go full steam ahead with a fresh reboot, or does the Margot Robbie-led spin-off offer a more exciting new direction? Could a mix of legacy characters and new blood strike the perfect balance? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!