Unveiling the Oddball Script: Inside the Making of Pirates of the Caribbean 6
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has long been known for its swashbuckling adventures, eccentric characters, and outlandish plots. But with the upcoming sixth installment, fans can expect something even more unexpected, as one of its writers reveals just how bizarre the script truly is.
Craig Mazin, the acclaimed writer behind HBO’s Chernobyl and The Last of Us, recently shared his astonishment at Disney’s acceptance of the peculiar script for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. In an interview with Variety, Mazin confessed that he and his co-writer, Ted Elliott, were convinced their pitch was too outlandish to be greenlit by the studio. Yet, to their surprise, Disney embraced the unconventional concept with open arms.
“We pitched it and thought there’s no way they’re buying it, it’s too weird. And they did!” Mazin revealed, shedding light on the unexpected journey of bringing the latest installment of the beloved franchise to life.
Throwback: The upcoming sixth Pirates Of The Caribbean movie has such an oddball script, one of its writers is amazed Disney accepted it; Johnny Depp is pictured for the fourth movie (pictured in 2003)
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Who’s who: Craig Mazin, who co-created the HBO miniseries Chernobyl starring Stellan Skarsgard (left) and Jared Harris (right), made the candid confession
However, despite the initial excitement of having their pitch accepted, Mazin and Elliott faced an unforeseen obstacle when a strike halted production, leaving them in limbo. Yet, undeterred by the setback, Mazin remained optimistic about the project’s future, confident in the strength of the script they had crafted.
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has a storied history, with the previous five movies captivating audiences worldwide with their blend of action, humor, and fantastical storytelling. Central to the success of the franchise has been the iconic portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow by Johnny Depp, whose charismatic performance endeared him to fans and helped propel the series to unprecedented heights of success.
However, Depp’s involvement in the sixth installment has been the subject of speculation, particularly in light of his tumultuous legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard. Despite emerging victorious in a defamation case against Heard, Depp’s career faced uncertainty, with questions lingering about his future in the franchise that made him a household name.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer had previously remained non-committal about Depp’s return to the series, suggesting that the actor’s future involvement was still up in the air. Yet, with the latest installment now in development, fans eagerly await news of whether Captain Jack Sparrow will once again set sail on the high seas.
New gig: Craig (pictured) has now written the next Pirates Of The Caribbean film with Ted Elliott, who himself co-wrote the first four movies in the series with Terry Rossio
Who’s who: The previous five movies in the franchise were led by Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow, pictured in the first film alongside Orlando Bloom as blacksmith Will Turner
Latest: Pirates Of The Caribbean rapidly became a global juggernaut as a movie franchise, churning out five movies in all between 2003 and 2017; pictured in Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl
The way they were: Johnny’s career, however, spent the past few years in the doldrums as a result of his legal battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard, whom he is pictured with in 2015
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On ice: Back in 2020, with Johnny’s career still on ice, it emerged Disney was developing Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 alongside a spin-off movie starring Margot Robbie
In addition to the uncertainty surrounding Depp’s involvement, the franchise also faced challenges in the form of a planned spin-off starring Margot Robbie. Initially conceived as a female-led adventure, the spin-off ultimately failed to materialize, with Disney opting instead to focus on the direct sequel helmed by Mazin and Elliott.
Despite the setbacks and uncertainties, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise remains a beloved and enduring staple of popular culture. From its humble beginnings as a theme park ride at Disneyland to its evolution into a global cinematic phenomenon, the series continues to captivate audiences with its blend of adventure, humor, and spectacle.
As Mazin and Elliott set sail on their own pirate adventure, fans can rest assured that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 will deliver all the thrills and surprises that have made the franchise a beloved favorite for over two decades. With an oddball script and a talented creative team at the helm, the latest installment promises to be a swashbuckling adventure like no other, inviting audiences to embark on a journey of imagination and excitement on the high seas.
