Rumored ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean 5’ Director Wish List Includes Tim Burton, Sam Raimi And More
Most of us who had the misfortune of seeingPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tidesprobably had two thoughts as the credits rolled: “Did that really just happen?” and “No longer is a pirate’s life for me.” While the film has been a global box office sensation, in mere weeks grossing nearly as much worldwide as the first film did in its entire run (thank you 3D), it took a deserved critical drubbing. Still, the script for the sequelwas commissioned well beforeOn Stranger Tidesopened,has been finished for weeksandJohnny Deppmade it clear he’d (eventually) doanother installment.Pirates of the Caribbean 5is imminent.
But who will direct? An offer is on the table forOn Stranger TidesdirectorRob Marshallto come back but if (fingers crossed) that doesn’t happen, Disney’s reported contingency plan is almost enough to get fans excited again.
According toCinema Blend, if Marshall doesn’t return Disney’s dream is to wooTim Burton. And if not Burton,Sam Raimi, Shawn Levy, Chris WeitzorAlfonso Cuaron.
In theCinema Blend piece(with a nod toThe Film Stage) they say that an offer to return has been out to Marshall since January but he has yet to sign on the dotted line. With that plan seemingly stalled, and the likelihood thathe’ll reteam with Depp onThe Thin Manmoving ahead, Disney is considering bringing in someone else.
Burton is the first choice long shot who they, reportedly, wanted to direct the fourth film but he turned it down. (If he read the script, I don’t blame him.) He’s obviously had previous success at Disney with films likeThe Nightmare Before Christmasand, most recently,Alice in Wonderland. Oh, and he’s got a pretty decent working relationship with Johnny Depp too.
If Burton passes though, the offer could go to any one of the following: Sam Raimi, who is currently working with Disney onOz The Great and the Powerful; Shawn Levy, who is attached to doFantastic Voyagebut has already made several solid family action films with theNight at the Museumseries; Chris Weitz, who has tackled the fantasy genre in the past with varying degrees of success (The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Golden Compass) or Alfonso Cuaron, who is getting ready to shootGravitybut already reinvigorated one fantasy franchise withHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Let’s be honest though. That list of names is pretty much every studio’s wish list when it comes to making a tentpole, fantasy sequel. I’m sure they’d really like Steven Spielberg or Christopher Nolan too. Still, the possibility of a Tim Burton, Sam Raimi or Alfonso CuaronPirates of the Caribbeanmovie might be just the thing to get me, and other former fans, to walk the plank one more time.
