Believe it or not, it’s never satisfying to dump on an actor or film series, even if the actor is a shitbag accused of domestic violence (ok, nevermind). That ugliness aside, what is up with Johnny Depp, his career and FIVE ‘Pirates’ films? One of the most respected actors of his generation way back when, working with some of the best filmmakers alive (Jim Jarmusch, Terry Gilliam, Michael Mann, Tim Burton), for over a decade now, Depp has taken almost exclusively tentpole movies that reek of paycheck gigs. Yes, he has kids and yes, he wants to entertain them, but why not use your cache for good instead of evil, ala Brad Pitt? (See his company Plan B that produces films like “Moonlight” and “12 Years A Slave.”) Does that Island off the coast of France really cost that much? Regardless, Depp can’t seem to get enough of the Captain Jack Sparrow character, and granted, much the same can be said about the audience.
And while U.S. interest in the series is waning (‘On Stranger Tides‘ is the lowest grossing film of the series and couldn’t even crack $250M at home), internationally, the audience is growing (‘On Stranger Tides’ is the second highest grossing film in the franchise and cracked the $1 billion mark). So if you’re ever asking why they’re continuing to make these films, Depp’s feelings aside, its license to print money is exactly why.
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The fifth installment, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” is directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg and it features Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and Kevin McNally reprising their roles from the earlier films. The film also stars Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario and will include the return of Orlando Bloom as Will Turner. Here’s the official synopsis (which basically tells you nothing).
In Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow with Geoffrey Rush back on board as Barbossa, Orlando Bloom resurfacing as Will Turner, and a terrifying new adversary, Captain Salazar, played by Javier Bardem, in the mix. The film is roduced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” washes up into theaters May 26 in 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D. Watch the Super Bowl spot, with the first look at Johnny Depp so far (spoiler, he basically looks the same), below.
