New ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Film In Development

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has faced a turbulent journey since the release of 2017’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

The five films in the series have collectively amassed over $4.5 billion in global box office sales, underscoring the franchise’s enduring popularity and profitability.

While Disney appears keen on extending the franchise, they have encountered challenges in advancing any new projects into production.

A female-led spin-off was announced in June 2020, starring Margot Robbie, but later Disney decided not to move forward with the project.

Speculation also suggests that Disney is developing a sixth installment in the existing Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and Johnny Depp may potentially reprise his role.

Before the onset of the writers’ strike, Craig Mazin, notable for his work as a co-writer on the acclaimed HBO series “Chernobyl” and “The Last of Us”, had commenced work on a new installment in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, a project that has already received the green light from Disney.

Speaking to LA Times, Craig Mazin said:

“We pitched it and thought there’s no way they’re buying it, it’s too weird. And they did! And then he wrote a fantastic script, and the strike happened, and everyone’s waiting around.”

One stipulation he had concerning the project was his desire to collaborate with Ted Elliott, a key writer behind the first four installments of the franchise.

It is still uncertain whether Johnny Depp, who is rumored to be more open to re-collaborating with Disney, will make an appearance or assume a role in the project.

Given the ongoing strikes in Hollywood, further updates appear to be on hold for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, it seems inevitable that Disney will, in due time, revisit the profitable Pirates franchise.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has indicated that the company will increasingly prioritize leveraging its own intellectual property, essentially leaning on existing franchises.

This strategy is viewed as a safer bet for Disney, as capitalizing on established franchises that already have a dedicated fan base considerably enhances the likelihood of producing a successful show or movie.