Disney is reportedly planning to reboot Pirates of the Caribbean
When it comes to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Disney isn't ready to abandon ship just yet.
A reboot of Pirates of the Caribbean is now being discussed, and Disney is considering bringing on Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to write the script, Deadline reported Tuesday. No other details have been reported just yet, and it's unclear if Johnny Depp would return as Captain Jack Sparrow, the character he has played in all five previous films. In recent years, Depp has become a controversial figure for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that his ex-wife, Amber Heard, has accused him of domestic violence. He denies the allegation.
It's been just one year since the most recent installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, hit theaters. But it does make sense that Disney would try to do something different after that movie, which was by far the lowest-grossing entry in the entire series domestically. Dead Men Tell No Tales brought in $172 million in the United States, down from the $241 million earned by the previous installment. Worldwide, it grossed about $250 million less than its predecessor.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Still, it did take in nearly $800 million overall, making it far from a bomb and a lot more successful than some of Disney's other recent live-action efforts like A Wrinkle in Time and Tomorrowland. Since Pirates is such a valued brand for Disney, it wouldn't be surprising to see this reboot set sail, with or without Johnny Depp, sooner rather than later.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - February 9, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - personal data, trans athletes, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 tit-for-tat cartoons about Trump's trade war
Cartoons Artists take on Canada, Mexico, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The catastrophic conflict looming in the heart of Africa
In the Spotlight Showdown between DR Congo and Rwanda have been a long time coming
By The Week UK Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published