Johnny Depp returns to his Academy Award-nominated role of Captain Jack Sparrow, joined by Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Kevin R. McNally, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, and Sam Claflin in Fourth Entry of Blockbuster Franchise
Burbank, Calif. – Production has commenced on location in Hawaii, the United Kingdom, and Los Angeles on Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ comedy adventure Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago), the fourth entry in the blockbuster franchise which has already reaped $2.7 billion in worldwide box office from the previous three films, and the first to be filmed and presented in Disney Digital 3D. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic, Academy Award-nominated role of Captain Jack Sparrow, newly joined by Academy Award winner Penelope Cruz (“Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” Rob Marshall’s Nine), Ian McShane (HBO’s Deadwood). and newcomers Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Sam Claflin. Also rejoining Johnny Depp and Captain Jack are Academy Award-winner and three-time nominee Geoffrey Rush (Shine, Shakespeare in Love) and Kevin R. McNally (first three Pirates of the Caribbean films, Valkyrie).
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides captures the fun, adventure, and humor that ignited the hit franchise —this time in Disney Digital 3D. In this action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth, and demise, Captain Jack Sparrow crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), and he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.
Rush reprises his role as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa, and Kevin R. McNally returns as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs. Claflin stars as a stalwart missionary, while Berges-Frisbey is transformed into a mysterious mermaid.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is written by “Pirates” veterans Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Barry Waldman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, and John DeLuca. The film is slated to open May 20, 2011.