Austin Butler, star of Dune: Part Two, recently expressed surprise at rumors linking him to the Pirates of the Caribbean reboot. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Butler revealed his detachment from ongoing franchise discussions. “Oh really? I haven’t heard about that,” he remarked, showcasing his unawareness of the casting speculations.
Butler’s fondness for the Pirates of the Caribbean series dates back to his childhood. He fondly recalled a school project where he listed Pirates of the Caribbean among his favorites.
“That just reminded me of when I was a kid. In elementary school, we had to make these posters that had like your favorite music, your favorite actors. And at that time — I don’t know what grade, it must have been fourth grade, third grade or something — but it was ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ was on there.”
Austin Butler and Jonny Depp (Disney)
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which began with 2003’s The Curse of the Black Pearl, has become a significant chapter in cinematic history.
Inspired by the beloved Disney ride, the series has amassed over $4.5 billion globally across its five films. Acknowledging the high standards set by the earlier films, Butler admitted, “It’s a hard one to touch because they did it so well,” also praising Johnny Depp’s iconic portrayal of Jack Sparrow.
The most recent film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, faced a harsh reception, garnering only 30% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite its critical failure, it still managed nearly $800 million worldwide. The film’s poor domestic performance has prompted filmmakers to reflect on the franchise’s future direction.
Austin Butler and Jonny Depp (Disney)
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently revealed exciting plans for the franchise, including two distinct films. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bruckheimer shared insights into a fresh reboot and a separate project starring Margot Robbie.
Jeff Nathanson, known for Young Woman and the Sea, is writing the reboot. Bruckheimer praised Nathanson’s script, particularly its powerful third act. “He’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.”
Simultaneously, the franchise is developing a film led by Margot Robbie, with Birds of Prey writer Christina Hodson at the helm. “It’s two different movies. We hope to get ’em both made, and I think Disney agrees they really want to make the Margot one, too,” Bruckheimer said.
