Following what little we know as of the last blog post of 2024, and the immortal words "Nothing has been ruled out" by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, among many "non-updates" as I like to call them, today we have...well, it isn't exactly news, but everyone seems to be running with it this week.
Orlando Bloom was featured in a video from the talk show This Morning, with the original broadcast date on May 6, 2025, and later posted on the YouTube channel on June 5. Bloom is one of the stars of the new Amazon Prime Video movie Deep Cover, with Bryce Dallas Howard and Nick Mohammed, who appeared with This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley. And of course, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise came up, and you can see the transcript below.
- Cat Deeley: "Is there ever going to be anymore Pirates?"
- Ben Shephard: "Oh, it's all in the works."
- Orlando Bloom: "...all kinds of things. Who knows?"
- Deeley: "Is that what they are saying?"
- Bloom: "Well, I don't know. I mean, there's been talks."
- Bryce Dallas Howard: "I haven't had the courage to ask."
- Bloom: "I don't know. I think there's... I can't say anything at the moment, because I don't—really—don't know. But like, there is, there's like definitely, they're trying..."
- Shepard: "Have they checked availability?"
- Bloom: "No, no, no. It's not that. They're sort of, like... I think they’re trying to work out what it would all look like. I personally think it'd be great to get the band back together. That would be great. But there are, you know, there are always different ideas and what's...you know, so we'll see where it lands."
- Howard: "How many years ago was the first?"
- Bloom: "Oh, don't ask me that. I think, what, 2002?"
- Howard: "It is time. It's time to get the band back together."
- Nick Mohammed: "Can we be in it?"
- Howard: "With a couple of new bands. [...] I'll be a wench."
- Bloom: "...tie it all in."
That is about all one can clearly decipher from the video, as, with all due respect to the hosts and guests, they were moments where they were talking over one another. But I digress. Focusing on Mr. Bloom, among other comments made over the years, it seems "bringing the band back together" is another possibility...but the stars will have to align for other members of the old cast and crew.
Personal commentary[]
I won't get too much into this, as it may better be served for a potential "Sequel News Rundown" or whatever kind of post I'll no doubt make in the future, but I'll say this. If not a sixth sequel film, I'd like them to expand the universe we already know, rather than the nonsensical "reboot" route. Disney do whatever they think is in their best interest financially, whether or not it is with familiar characters or whoever/whatever is the new "it" factor, which may or may not work out the right creatives aren't there.
Johnny Depp had what he said during the Depp v. Heard trial, which regardless of what you believe, he clearly wouldn't say no to playing Captain Jack Sparrow again. Keira Knightley had her conflicting comments, on top of her previous comments dating back 2006-2007, which basically said she didn't want to star in the Pirates franchise anymore, but is clearly open for cameo roles like Elizabeth Swann in P5: Dead Men Tell No Tales/Salazar's Revenge. Orlando Bloom is at least showing interest in returning as Will Turner, "getting the band back together" similar to "clearly the best pirate film" as writer/producer Terry Rossio mentioned on video last year. But at the same time, one can't rule out the possibility that Orlando may be more interested in a cameo role like Keira in P5, and that is presuming their characters will be featured at all. Especially when making a new film with a younger cast seems to be the direction the franchise is heading. Speaking as someone who wants a good movie worthy of the continuity we're mostly familiar with, regardless on if the OG cast returns or not.
Regardless of one's personal feelings, the future of Pirates does have potential, so long as they have a good story, and most importantly a writer AND director that cares enough about the lore...but then, that's what we've said about previous adventures. Overall, as bland as Mr. Bloom's comments are, it gives me some hope that Disney isn't going to throw away the old continuity...at least, not yet. But the handling of P5, where there are continuity issues, is one drawback.
What do you think, Pirates fans? Please comment below!