Scrum

Biographical information
Gender	Male
Ethnic group	English
Eye color	Blue (one half glass eye)
Hair color	Brown
Height	5' 5"
Born	1710s, Greenwich, London
Family	Scrum's mother (mother)
Title(s)	Captain
Statistics
Weapon(s) owned	Sword
Ship(s) captained or crewed	Queen Anne's Revenge Dying Gull Black Pearl
Battles	Mutiny on the Queen Anne's Revenge Battle at Whitecap Bay Battle for the Fountain of Youth Bank robbery in Saint Martin Escape from Saint Martin Race to the Black rock island
Affiliation	Crew of the Queen Anne's Revenge Jack Sparrow Angelica Crew of the Dying Gull Crew of the Black Pearl
Behind the scenes
First appearance	On Stranger Tides
Latest appearance	Dead Men Tell No Tales
Portrayer	Stephen Graham

"No, no, no, you don't understand, mate. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. The original. The only!"
"Scrum. And the pleasure's all mine. Now keep moving."

―Jack Sparrow and Scrum

Scrum was a crafty, mandola-playing Machiavellian pirate. Hardly the sharpest sword in the scabbard, Scrum made up for his life with a natural-born talent for music, and duplicity.

Known for his cheery spirits and slow wits, Scrum joined the crew of the Queen Anne's Revenge, where he would serve under the infamous pirate Blackbeard. During the quest for the Fountain of Youth, Scrum was torn between his duty to Angelica and his admiration for Jack Sparrow. Although he was a scurvy soul, Scrum betrayed a weakness for those scintillating sirens of the sea, the mermaids. Scrum would continue living a pirate's life aboard the Revenge until he joined Jack Sparrow's crew aboard the Dying Gull.

Biography

Early life

Not much is known about Scrum's past, but it is known that he was born in London, as the son of a prostitute and an unknown man. At some point in his life, Scrum learned how to play the mandola. For his playing, his mother said that it brought a tear to her eye, and Scrum later attempted to seduce a Berber princess with his musical talent. However, she was already betrothed to another Berber man, and Scrum fled.

Piracy

At some point in his pirate career, Scrum would have sailed with a beautiful female pirate named Angelica, but with no knowledge that her father was the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Scrum was a notable pub regular in the Captain's Daughter, a pub located in London, where he'd tell tales that stir hearts up to bravery that they may well regret. He was mostly known to provide entertainment while playing the mandola to the patrons.

Quest for the Fountain of Youth

Jack Sparrow

"I hear you be recruiting a crew."
"Aye. That is, Jack Sparrow be puttin' together a modest venture."

―Jack Sparrow and Scrum

Scrum upon meeting Jack Sparrow in the Captain's Daughter.

In the mid-18th century, Scrum would have met with Angelica in London. Because of their previous time together, he would assist her in recruiting a number of sailors and pirates at the Captain's Daughter, promising them a modest venture sailing under Jack Sparrow. However, while wooing wenches in the tavern by playing My Jolly Sailor Bold with his mandola, the real Jack Sparrow appeared questioning of his recruiting a crew. Thinking he was an imposter, Scrum made fun of Jack after the latter asked "Do you have any idea who I am, mate?", saying that he forgot his own name, in which the crew laughed at Jack.

Soon afterwards, the Royal Guards arrived to the Captain's Daughter and alerted their presence to Angelica, who was confronted by Jack. Scrum attempted to barricade the door to avoid dealing with the Guards, but ran right before they bursted in. As Jack and Angelica fought the guards, Scrum escaped the building. He would later meet with Angelica, who was able to get Jack unconscious, and made their way to Angelica's ship.

Aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge

"Show a leg, sailor!"
"Aye, sir! What?"

―Scrum and Jack Sparrow

Scrum and Jack aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge.

About five days into the voyage, Scrum woke Jack Sparrow up to work aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, which brought the surprised Jack into realizing he was aboard the ship of Blackbeard. While doing their duties, mopping and scrubbing the deck, Scrum befriended Jack (after learning that he was the real Sparrow) aboard while showing him the ropes around the Revenge. He told Jack of Blackbeard's zombie officers as well as Philip Swift's imprisonment aboard. Scrum later met with Jack and some of the other crewmen, who were not satisfied with sailing under Angelica and her zombie crew, and took part in Jack's mutiny aboard the Revenge. He and the other crewmen were convinced by Jack to mutiny as they were heading for certain death at the Fountain of Youth.

"We take the ship, then. Now!"
"...Go on, then."

―Scrum and Jack Sparrow

Scrum hung by Blackbeard.

Knowing that they were to face certain death unless they took the ship, Scrum told the crew to take the ship, though the crew didn't do so until Jack himself said it. In the fight, Scrum dueled with many of the zombie crewmen. Jack's crew were almost victorious until Blackbeard himself came out of his cabin. Blackbeard, in response to being told that this was a mutiny, hung all of the crewmen, including Scrum, with the rigging of the Queen Anne's Revenge. Scrum and the rest of the crewmen were let down to witness the Cook's punishment for their actions.

Whitecap Bay

"I'm in love!"

―Scrum after the mermaid attack

Scrum almost kissed by Tamara.

As the search continued, the pirates were led to Whitecap Bay, in search of a mermaid's tear for the Profane Ritual. Scrum was put in one of the various longboats, and the spotlight from the tower was cast on his boat. He, with Philip, Purser, Ezekiel, Cabin Boy, Derrick, and a few other pirates, were ordered to sing by Gunner, in order to lure the mermaids.

As the first mermaid, named Tamara, arrived, she asked if Scrum was the one who was singing. He said yes, and wanted a kiss. The others tried to hold him back, but Scrum insisted he would have a kiss from a proper mermaid. Tamara then started to sing, making other mermaids show up, and then lured Scrum underwater, where he saw her true form. Scrum screamed as Tamara tried to attack, only to be warded off by Ezekiel, who hit her with an oar. The mermaids then attacked. Scrum's boat was destroyed and he was caught in the net by the rest of the crew, mistaken for a mermaid. When they unraveled the net, all they saw was a lovestruck Scrum.

Fight at the Fountain

"Hand it over. The tear. There's a good lad."
"I'm more afraid of her than I am of you."

―Jack Sparrow and Scrum

Scrum and Angelica fighting against Jack Sparrow.

With a mermaid captured, the crew proceeded to the fountain. Once there, Hector Barbossa and his own crew came to kill Blackbeard. As the fight commenced, Angelica had Scrum follow her to the Fountain. With the Chalices, and the tear, Angelica and Scrum had to face Jack, who wanted the items. An interesting switch occurred and Scrum was left to continue fighting others.

Between Quests

"I claim Blackbeard's ship and crew and this sword payment for me missing limb."

―Hector Barbossa

When Barbossa fatally wounded Blackbeard, he claimed his sword, ship, and crew for himself. Scrum and the other surviving members of Blackbeard's crew followed him back to the Queen Anne's Revenge, where Scrum witnessed Barbossa's usage of Blackbeard's sword to make the ship sail at a fast speed to Tortuga.

After an unknown amount of time serving under Captain Barbossa aboard the Revenge, Scrum left his crew. Through unknown circumstances, Scrum reunited with Jack Sparrow and joined his motley crew on the Dying Gull, which was docked at Saint Martin.

Quest for the Trident of Poseidon

Leaving Jack

Marty, Gibbs, and Scrum prepare to steal the vault from the bank.

"It's empty!"
"Where is the dosh?"
"Do you think that robbing a bank is easy?"

―Scrum, Pike and Jack Sparrow

Under Jack Sparrow's command, Scrum participated in multiple failed crimes, the most notable of which was the robbery of the bank of Saint Martin, in which all they procured was a single coin. After Jack informed the crew that they had to pay him for the failure, his entire crew, including Scrum, lost all faith in their Captain and abandoned him.

Rescuing Jack

"Thank you."
"You're welcome, milady."

―Carina Smyth and Scrum

Shortly after their separation a young man named Henry Turner, the son of William Turner, paid them to save their ex-captain from the guillotine, as well as a young woman named Carina Smyth from being hanged. This led to a battle between soldiers and pirates, with Scrum going in search of the woman. He restrained and defeated a soldier with the help of Carina, who was still standing on the gallows, but accidentally activated the trap door meant to result in her death. Luckily, she was caught by Henry before the crew escaped the area.

Mutiny

"Two things we know are true. The stars don't shine by day, and she forgot the donkey."

―Scrum

After the escape, the crew went in search of the Trident of Poseidon, not knowing why their re-appointed captain was interested in doing so. The Trident could be found with Diary of Galileo Galilei, which was in possession of Carina Smyth and despite initially being denied help, they managed to help. However, when the crew discovered that they were being pursued by a ghost ship crewed by the dead, they immediately aimed their guns at Jack in frustration, which Jack then decides to call upon mutiny, having Henry Turner and Carina Smyth join him on a rowboat. The mutiny ended up putting Joshamee Gibbs as the captain.

Becoming "Captain"

The soldiers on the Essex beat Scrum.

"Keep still, you bilge rat."
"Oh, please. I don't want to be captain anymore!"

―Joshamee Gibbs and Scrum

Shortly afterwards, Gibbs discovered that the Royal Navy warship Essex were following the Gull with the intent to arrest them. Wanting to avoid severe punishment, Gibbs lied to Scrum that Jack had named Scrum as captain, Scrum briefly pondered on this but accepted the role as he expressed joy at this. Soon the ship was boarded and the soldiers gave the unwitting Scrum a beating and locked the crew in the brig. However, the crew managed to pick the lock and escape using a nail torn from Scrum's foot, despite his protests.

Service on the Pearl

"Welcome back, captain."
"I thank you very much."

―Scrum and Jack Sparrow

The crew fled in a boat, as Scrum pouts about his lost toenail before Gibbs discovered that the Black Pearl had been returned to its natural state and sailing again. Seeing the opportunity, the excited crew quickly made their way to the vessel and Scrum joined the crew in fighting off Salazar and his undead crew who soon retreated after the Pearl reached Black rock island.

Scrum greets Jack Sparrow.

Scrum stayed aboard the ship while Barbossa, Jack and Carina transversed the island to locate the trident. After the destruction the Trident of Poseidon, which caused all the curses of the sea to be undone; the walls of the sea started closing in on the tomb threatening to drown all left inside. Barbossa had the crew lowered the anchor with him on it to save everyone and made the decision to sacrifice himself to save his daughter. Upon learning of his former captain's demise, Scrum held his hat down in respect.

Afterwards Scrum joined the crew of the Black Pearl in accepting Jack as their captain again, his faith in Jack was restored as he was shown following his orders with no problem as the ship sailed off. Scrum's further fate is unknown.

Personality and traits

Scrum.

"Boys! There ain't much been given to me in my brief, miserable life, there's the truth of it. But by God, I'll have it said that Scrum had himself a kiss from a proper mermaid!"

―Scrum to his fellow crewmen

Scrum was a crafty pirate known for his cheery spirits, and slow wits. A Machiavellian pirate, Scrum was never loyal to anyone, as he would go anywhere there's a pound note and a job involved. His quirks included having a huge scar around his face near his right eye, which was a slightly glass eye as he only got half an eye. If brains were the true measure of a man, Scrum would be even more diminutive than he already was. Scrum makes up for his dull edge with a natural-born talent for music and duplicity.

During the quest for the Fountain of Youth, Scrum was torn between his duty to Angelica, whom he sailed with before, and his admiration for Jack Sparrow. He seemed to have given up on them once he joined Hector Barbossa, who became the new captain of the Queen Anne's Revenge after killing Blackbeard. However, Scrum would go back to join Jack's crew once a year passed. A scurvy little soul, Scrum betrayed a weakness for those scintillating sirens of the sea, the mermaids.

Equipment and skills

As a pirate, Scrum had many skills, whether he was a fighter or lover. Given that he owned a sword with half-basket hilt, which protected his hand, Scrum was a fair sword fighter, having survived many fatal encounters. Scrum was also talented in playing stringed instruments, such as the mandola, even though its eight strings were all out of tune. On his neck, Scrum wore a necklace that included a whistle and a lucky shark's tooth. Among other items he had on his person was the spine of a large friend he had to eat, a ring for a prostitute he asked to marry but she had refused, and the jawbone of his dog which had the use of an eating utensil, sewing, a weapon, and digging.

Behind the scenes

"Ah, but three days out, Scrum there handed a flag through the rungs of a ladder. Terrible bad luck!"
"On that same day a dolphin swam alongside the ship --"
"When the clothes of a dead sailor are worn by another sailor during the same voyage, misfortune will befall the entire crew! (heads turn to Scrum) I'm just sayin'."

―Ezekiel, Derrick, and Scrum

• Scrum was portrayed by Stephen Graham in On Stranger Tides and Dead Men Tell No Tales.
• Stephen Graham stated that he based his role as the scrappy Scrum in part on English comedian Les Dawson as well as a bit of the Artful Dodger. "My character was originally from the Greenwich area of London," notes Graham, "a true sailor who's been out to sea since he was a kid. I kind of think of Scrum as being like the Artful Dodger of the pirate world, always looking for something to do, always with his hand in something. He's always looking for another way to make more money, or go on another adventure. Scrum is a great, fun character to play, and after playing a few psychos lately, it’s great to be able to let all that go and just really enjoy myself."
• In earlier interviews, Stephen Graham thought of Scrum as a proper, loveable Cockney rogue. He also said that he was going to play him as a Scouser, but decided against it because he didn't think Americans would be able to understand the accent. He also revealed that Scrum would be the right-hand man of Angelica in On Stranger Tides, but that "he'll go anywhere there's a pound note and a job involved".
• Originally, as per the On Stranger Tides screenplay, Scrum strums a jaunty tune on his mandola as the Queen Anne's Revenge sailed away under Hector Barbossa at the end of the film. It is unknown why the scene didn't make it into the final cut, or if that moment was even filmed, though Stephen Graham did mention playing the mandola in an interview.
• In LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game, Scrum was knocked out by Angelica and forced to join Blackbeard's crew, along with Jack Sparrow. However, as evidenced in the On Stranger Tides film, Scrum was associated with Angelica for some time. Scrum also never wielded a sword in LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean, only using his mandola as a weapon.
• In Terry Rossio's original script for Dead Men Tell No Tales Scrum would have joined Jack Sparrow as his only crewmember aboard the Cuttlefish, following him on futile treasure hunts.

Appearances

• World of Color (2011-2023 update)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (First appearance)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (junior novelization)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Movie Storybook
• The Brightest Star in the North: The Adventures of Carina Smyth
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Novelization
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales: Movie Graphic Novel
• LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game (Non-canonical appearance)
• Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life (Non-canonical appearance)

Sources

• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (junior novelization)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: The Visual Guide