14 DAY TRIAL // The “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise has raked in about $1 billion so far, so it’s no wonder it shows signs of continuing to thrive even past Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom’s departures. The fourth film is confirmed, with speculation saying it will most likely focus on Captain Jack Sparrow’s story alone. With this is mind, Johnny Depp is already promoting the film in full character with a surprise appearance at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, the LA Times informs.
However, aside from detailing Depp’s surprise appearance that made the delight of the 5,000 Disney fans gathered, the LA Times also offers another important piece of information, namely that a title for the fourth film has been chosen: “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” As fans must already know, the film is set to drop in 2011 but it clearly seems there is no better way to make sure interest remains alive in the franchise than with some early promotion.
“Johnny Depp, arguably the biggest movie star in the world, surprised the audience of Walt Disney Co.’s D23 Expo in Anaheim by sailing on stage in his famous pirate regalia. As 5,000 fans jumped to their feet, the star emerged in full character, with his bleary ballet of the forever besotted Jack Sparrow. Cracking wise about rum he also said he’d like a little snack – that nice frog named Kermit who had been on stage earlier and ‘probably tastes like chicken’.” the aforementioned e-zine says of Depp’s surprise appearance.
“Depp arrived on stage in gliding replica of the Black Pearl pirate ship and, before they saw his famous face, the crowd was cheering at the sight of his silhouette behind a billowing back-lit sail and pumping stage smoke. Depp was the big finale in [the] program.” LA Times further explains. This is the closest thing to a confirmation fans of the franchise have now that “On Stranger Tides” will mean more time with wacky Cpt. Sparrow, several other movie-oriented publications point out.
In other “Pirates”- related news, a while ago, rumor emerged that Rob Marshall (“Chicago,” “Nine” and “Memoirs of a Geisha”) was considered as director for the fourth film, after Gore Verbinski left the franchise to do the “Halo” remake. At the same time, Jerry Bruckheimer is to resume producing duties, reports said.