Captain Jack is Back?

 

According to TheWrap.com, Johnny Depp is close to signing a deal to star in a 5th Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Awhile back, producer Jerry Bruckheimer seemed optimistic about the idea of Depp coming back for a 5th Pirate’s movie if ‘On Stranger Tides’ did well.

“Hopefully, if this one (‘On Stranger Tides) does well, (Depp) will want to come back and play the character again,” Bruckheimer told the L.A. Times. “But it’s going to depend on the screenplay. It always does. He’s maniacal about not wanting to disappoint his audience.”

Despite the fact that ‘On Stranger Tides’ was slashed without mercy by the critics, and was the worst reviewed of the 4 in the series, as of last week it became only the 8th movie to gross over $1 billion in the box office worldwide.

There is no denying the success of the Pirate’s saga.  Three out of the four movies are in the T0p-10 most grossing movies of all-time, with two of them crossing the $1 billion mark.  It’s also been reported that Depp has made anywhere between $270-350 million in total through 4 films.

While Captain Jack has become one of the most beloved characters to grace the screen in the past 10 years, and the saga continues to rake in record ‘booty’, the has done nothing but continued a downward spiral in the critic’s eyes.

Breaking Down the Progression of the Pirate’s Saga (RottenTomatoes/MetaCritic):

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl: 78/63

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest: 54/53

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End: 45/50

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: 33/45

Personally, I have nothing but love for Mr. Sparrow.  I have respect for one of the most successful series of all-time. What I do have a problem with is the less than adequate stories that have been written around the iconic figure since the 1st installment. With the right director and writer in place, you could make Jack Sparrow movies with Depp forever.

If I’m Johnny Depp would I sign on for a 5th? Yes. There is a point when art goes out the window, and you say yes to the paycheck and leaving a legacy.

What is your opinion of the Pirate’s of the Caribbean series? Where does it stand in history? Should Johnny Depp sign on for a 5th?