‘Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales’ to honor original film, says director
Disney will be bringing Jack Sparrow back this summer. Sorry, there’s supposed to be a “Captain” in there somethere as the swashbuckler takes center stage in a new adventure: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
The fifth installment in the franchise will feature new creators and co-director Joachim Rønning talked with Entertainment Weekly about returning to the elements which made the first film so spectacular and successful.
“The first Pirates of the Caribbean reminded me of the movies that I grew up with, the (Robert) Zemeckis and (Steven) Spielberg and (George) Lucas adventures that inspired me to become a filmmaker, so coming back to that was a dream come true for me.”
Johnny Depp returns as Sparrow and will be focused on his comedic timing based on Ronnig’s next remarks.
“It’s scary, it’s funny, and most of all it’s a comedy, but with great heart, and that structure and the dynamics between the characters was something I really wanted to try and reinvent.”
Rønning discussed the importance of new characters Henry Turner and Carina, played by Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario.
“In the middle of a big action scene, you need to be able to lean on the characters and find the heart of that story and channel the characters’ vulnerability. Henry and Carina are on a similar quest and find common ground in looking for who they are, which I think is a huge part of what I tried to put into the story.”
Working with longtime franchise star Depp is key to the entire project.
“He has a comedic timing that I’ve never seen in anyone. He comes on set, it’s one or two takes, and I can move on. He knows this character inside and out, and that’s such a luxury, as a director, to work with someone like that.”
Rønning explained how he and co-director Espen Sandberg attempted to honor the legacy of the first Pirates film.
“It was all there in this script already, and for me, it was just a matter of adding scenes that carry on the tradition of Gore Verbinski, bring the emotional core and big action pieces, and [take inspiration from] the physical humor of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.”
You can read the full interview with director Joachim Rønning here.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales also stars Javier Bardem as Captain Salazar, a maniacal ghost pirate bent on revenge against Sparrow. Geoffrey Rush reprises his role as Captain Barbossa, Kevin McNally as Gibbs, and Stephen Graham as Scrum.
Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are also returning, likely for a very short appearance as Will Turner and Elizabeth, central figures in the first three Pirates films.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales will be released in theaters on May 26, 2017.
