It appears that Disney is still moving forward with their
Pirates of the Caribbean reboot, and
The Hollywood Reporter has learned today that the studio has enlisted longtime
Pirates of the Caribbean scribe Ted Elliott and 2x Primetime Emmy Award-winning
Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin to develop the story for the long-rumored sixth installment.
Further details are currently unavailable, but the new film is expected to breathe new life into the billion-dollar franchise and is not expected to bring back leading man Johnny Depp as the fan-favorite Captain Jack Sparrow, an iconic role that earned Depp his first (of three) Academy Award nominations.
While Depp will presumably not return, Jerry Bruckheimer will reassume his position as producer once Elliott and Mazin can crack the story.
The film was previously being scripted by
Deadpool and
Zombieland writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, but the duo exited the project in early 2019, opening the door for a new creative team.
Elliott scripted four of the five prior
Pirates adventures (
The Curse of the Black Pearl,
Dead Man's Chest,
At World's End,
On Stranger Tides) with his former writing partner Terry Rossio, so he's already well-versed in the universe. Mazin, meanwhile, is best known for creating HBO's
Chernobyl and his past theatrical credits include
The Hangover Part II and
Part III,
The Huntsman: Winter's War, and
Scary Movie 3 and
4. He also penned the upcoming
Charlie's Angels reboot.