The winds of change are blowing through the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer has revealed that not one, but two new projects centring around Disney’s beloved swashbucklers are currently in development. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bruckheimer provided exciting updates that have reignited hope for fans eagerly awaiting the franchise’s return to the high seas.
According to Bruckheimer, there are currently two distinct Pirates films in the works – a reboot of the mainline franchise penned by Jeff Nathanson (The Young Woman and the Sea), as well as a separate spin-off project spearheaded by Margot Robbie (Barbie, The Suicide Squad). While details remain scarce, Bruckheimer expressed optimism that both films could potentially move forward with Disney’s support.
“We hope to get ’em both made, and I think Disney agrees they really want to make the Margot one, too,” Bruckheimer revealed, confirming the studio’s continued enthusiasm for expanding the beloved pirate universe.
The potential Margot Robbie-led spin-off, which has been in development since 2020 with writer Christina Hodson (Birds of Prey) attached, represents an exciting new chapter for the franchise. Robbie’s involvement not only promises a fresh perspective but also the opportunity to redefine what it means to be a swashbuckling pirate captain in a genre traditionally dominated by male protagonists.
Concurrently, the reboot helmed by Nathanson aims to breathe new life into the mainline Pirates narrative. Bruckheimer expressed confidence in Nathanson’s vision, stating, “I think [Nathanson’s] cracked it. He’s got an amazing third act. We just gotta clean up the first and second and then we’ll get there.”
While the future of Johnny Depp’s iconic Captain Jack Sparrow remains uncertain, Bruckheimer did not rule out the possibility of the actor’s involvement in the reboot, emphasizing his admiration for Depp as “a good friend” and “an amazing artist.”
This dual-pronged approach to revitalizing the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise comes after a period of uncertainty following the lackluster performance of the 2017 installment Dead Men Tell No Tales. Disney has remained committed to continuing the lucrative series but has pivoted towards exploring fresh directions and new faces to carry the franchise forward.
As fans eagerly await further updates, the prospect of both a Margot Robbie-led spin-off and a mainline reboot has reignited excitement for the beloved swashbuckling universe. With Bruckheimer at the helm and Disney’s support, it appears the tides may be turning, and soon, audiences could once again set sail for high-seas adventures filled with thrills, humor, and, of course, plenty of pirates.
