‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’: Craig Mazin Has Worked On A “Weird” New Script For Disney’s Franchise

Craig Mazin is loving his career at this moment. Sure, there’s a WGA strike going on, which is hindering what exactly he can work on, but the writer-producer-showrunner of “The Last of Us” is at the top of his game, with studios desperate to work with him. And apparently, one of the studios hoping to have a Mazin project on its schedule is Disney, as the writer has been secretly working on a new “Pirates of the Caribbean” film.

READ MORE: Margot Robbie’s Female-Led ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’ Spinoff May Not Be Dead After All

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, while talking about the current WGA and SAG strikes, as well as his work on the massively popular “The Last of Us,” Craig Mazin dropped news that he and Ted Elliot, the man who wrote the first few entries of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, have been in the process of working on a new film in the blockbuster Disney franchise. While he wouldn’t give any hints about what the plot of the film would be (or, perhaps more importantly, whether or not it includes a return by star Johnny Depp), Mazin excitedly explained how the opportunity came about.

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

READ MORE: ‘The Last Of Us’: Showrunner Craig Mazin Expects “Furor” From Fans Over Upcoming Season 2: “There Are Things That Will Shock People”

So, judging by Mazin’s words, it would appear that Disney is currently sitting on a completed script for a new “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, and the studio is waiting for the strikes to end so work can really begin on the development of the new installment of the franchise. But, as mentioned above, there is pretty much only one major question regarding a new ‘Pirates’ film—who is starring? 

You see, Depp is still a bit of a wildcard in terms of public perception. There seems to be quite a few of his fans who are willing to support him despite the ridiculous amount of controversy that has followed him in recent years. That said, even if fans want Depp along for a new film, there were plenty of other reports about his antics on set that might lead you to believe that Disney would like to go in a different direction.

That different direction, at least most recently, seems to lead to Margot Robbie, who has long been reported as attached to a new ‘Pirates’ film. Of course, that was before Mazin and Elliot were said to be involved. Perhaps the Robbie project is actually something different. That would mean we’re truly back at square one with whatever Mazin is teasing. 

Regardless, we won’t know anything for a while, as these dual strikes are seemingly never ending at this point. But when things do get settled, ‘Pirates’ fans have something to look forward to.