Yes, the fifth movie was released a little over one year ago - but honestly, does this news surprise you in the slightest?
Deadline is reporting that Rhett Rheese and Paul Wernick, the writers behind 'Deadpool', 'Zombieland', and the upcoming sequel, have been hired by the House of Mouse to reboot the pirate franchise.
Details are light at the minute, however it's understood that longtime producer Jerry Bruckheimer will still be involved. However, Johnny Depp's fate is not yet known. Depp is by far the most recognisable cast member of the franchise, having starred in all five entries as Captain Jack Sparrow. However, Depp's box office draw has been waning of late and the controversy surrounding his short-lived marriage to Amber Heard - which included accusations of spousal abuse - have begun to impact.
The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series has been a real earner for Disney, taking in close to $4.5 billion over the course of its five movies. That might seem paltry compared to Marvel's $14 billion, but remember that the MCU has had 20 movies to reach that figure.
Whether or not Depp survives the reboot of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' will most likely depend on how his next major blockbuster effort performs at the box office. 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' will open in November, but longtime fans of the series have been steadfastly against Depp reprising his role as Gellert Grindelwald owing to the accusations surrounding him and Amber Heard. Despite this, both the studio and JK Rowling have stood behind Depp.
As it stands with the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' reboot, there's no further word on casting or directing. The larger question is whether or not people actually want to see a reboot of the franchise in the first place?
Let us know what you think in the comments!
