Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the fourth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, to be released on May 20, 2011 as the sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and its predecessors. It stars Johnny Depp (Captain Jack Sparrow), Geoffrey Rush (Captain Hector Barbossa), Ian McShane (Blackbeard), and Penélope Cruz (Angelica). It is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall.

Casting
Johnny Depp previously stated that he would love to play Jack Sparrow again, but only if the script was good. On September 25, 2008, Walt Disney Pictures, with Depp, formally announced that he was signed on for the fourth film. Geoffrey Rush also expressed interest in playing the role of Hector Barbossa again and has also been signed on.

Author Tim Powers revealed that Disney bought the film rights to the 1988 pirate novel, On Stranger Tides, in April 2007. It was speculated that the film's plot will follow the novel's, with Jack Sparrow replacing the novel's protagonist, Jack Shandy. Pirates writer, Terry Rossio, revealed that they will use elements from the novel, but the film will not be based on it.

After filming for At World's End was completed, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom both announced that they were not interested in reprising their roles, as they wanted to pursue different projects, and they felt that the Will/Elizabeth storyline had gone as far as it could. It has since been confirmed that neither Bloom or Knightley are returning. On February 5, 2010, Mackenzie Crook, who played Ragetti in the films, has stated that he will not return because he wanted to spend more time with his family. Keith Richards, who played Captain Teague in At World's End, is set to return. Greg Ellis, who played Theodore Groves in the films, has been confirmed to return. Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that Kevin McNally will return as Joshamee Gibbs.

New cast members include Ian McShane, with the latter confirmed to play the notorious pirate, Blackbeard, and Penélope Cruz, who has been confirmed to play Blackbeard's daughter (also Jack Sparrow's love interest). Astrid Bergès-Frisbey will play a mermaid named "Syrena", and Sam Claflin will play a missionary named "Philip". Stephen Graham has been confirmed to play Scram, a Machiavellian pirate and the sidekick to Jack Sparrow. Creator Richard Thomson has landed a role for the film as an unknown character. John Bryant Davila has been confirmed as one of Blackbeard's crewmen.

Pre-production
According to Jim Hill's The Art of Pirates of the Caribbean, the proposed story for the fourth film was for Sparrow and Barbossa to meet up in the newly founded New Orleans, before they sail to find the Fountain of Youth together. It was later confirmed that this was false.

In September 2009, Dick Cook, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, resigned after holding his position for over 38 years. The circumstances of his resignation are unknown, but most speculate he resigned due to his conflicting business tactics with CEO Bob Iger. Iger sought out "new ways of doing business", while Cook remained a traditionalist. After Cook's resignation, Johnny Depp's faith in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has somewhat shaken, with Depp explaining that "There’s a fissure, a crack in my enthusiasm at the moment. It was all born in that office". Depp also explained Cook was one of the few that accepted his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow, claiming that "When things went a little sideways on the first Pirates movie and others at the studio were less than enthusiastic about my interpretation of the character, Dick was there from the first moment. He trusted me."

On November 15, 2009, Disney has announced that they would pay Johnny Depp $55.5 million to return as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Disney announced, on January 7, 2010, that Pirates 4 will be released on May 20, 2011 and will be filmed in IMAX.

During February 2010, the ship that played the Black Pearl, the Sunset, set sail to Hawaii to prepare for the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides during the summer of 2010, where it will portray the Queen Anne's Revenge.

It has been considered that the movie will be in 3-D in theaters after the success of Avatar.

In April 9th, 2010, British actor Stephen Graham has been confirmed as Scram, a new pirate character for the film. Johnny Depp is also in talks with Mick Jagger about being a pirate elder along with Keith Richards, who played Teague in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. On April 14, 2010, Walt Disney Pictures has confirmed that French actress, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, will be in the film as a mermaid named "Syrena". On April 16, 2010, Sam Claflin has been confirmed to play a missionary named "Philip".

On May 17, 2010, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross has confirmed that Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will be shot and released in 3D. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will start shooting on June 14, 2010, with their budget of $200 million.

Screenwriters have announced that while Jack Sparrow is in London, an elaborate carriage chase through the streets will take place. As written, the scene would take 12 days shoot, but it is being cut to take about 4 to 6 days. The reason for a carriage chase on land is because it costs more money to have big scenes on the water.

Cast

 * Johnny Depp ... Captain Jack Sparrow
 * Geoffrey Rush ... Captain Hector Barbossa
 * Ian McShane ... Edward Teach (Blackbeard)
 * Penélope Cruz ... Angelica (Blackbeard's daughter)
 * Kevin McNally ... Joshamee Gibbs
 * Stephen Graham... Scram
 * Astrid Bergès-Frisbey ... Syrena
 * Sam Claflin ... Philip
 * Yuki Matsuzaki ... Garheng
 * Robbie Kay ... Unknown Cabin Boy (TBA)
 * Mick Jagger ... A pirate elder (TBA)
 * Keith Richards ... Captain Teague
 * Greg Ellis ... Lt. Theodore Groves
 * Richard Thomson ... (TBA)
 * John Bryant Davila ... Blackbeard's crewman (TBA)
 * Bronson Webb ...The Cook

Individuals

 * Jack Sparrow
 * Hector Barbossa
 * Blackbeard
 * Angelica
 * Joshamee Gibbs
 * Scram
 * Syrena
 * Philip
 * Captain Teague
 * Theodore Groves

Locations

 * London
 * Florida

Organizations and groups

 * British Empire
 * Pirates

Ships

 * Black Pearl
 * Queen Anne's Revenge