Industry chatter around Pirates of the Caribbean 6 centers on a surprising gatekeeper: Disney reportedly greenlit a script described by Craig Mazin, best known for Chernobyl and The Last of Us, as intentionally “weird.” The revelation came through a media outlet covering Mazin’s comments and the surrounding development process.
Mazin explained that the project was initially met with skepticism. He recalled that the team presented the concept and anticipated that Disney might pass, given its unconventional premise. Instead, the studio chose to move forward, paving the way for Ted Elliott, the longtime screenwriter associated with the franchise, to craft a script that Mazin says is strong and distinctive. A subsequent labor action, specifically a strike, caused a pause in production timelines, leaving fans and industry watchers in a holding pattern while awaiting the next steps.
The Pirates of the Caribbean saga reached a notable milestone with its fifth installment, released in 2017. That film brought back familiar faces in the finale, with Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom reappearing briefly after their absence in the fourth film, On Stranger Tides. Their return served as a nod to longtime fans, tying together threads from across the series and signaling a possible shift in how future installments might balance new talent with beloved legacy characters.
In late 2022, producer Jerry Bruckheimer shared an update on the franchise’s broader strategy. He highlighted two spin-off projects in active development: one centered on a female-led cast featuring Margot Robbie, and another exploring a younger ensemble. Bruckheimer also indicated an ongoing interest in Johnny Depp’s possible return to the iconic role of Jack Sparrow, underscoring how the franchise weighs star power, narrative fresh takes, and audience expectations as it plans its next moves.
As entertainment conversations continue to evolve, observers note that the Pirates franchise remains a significant cultural touchstone in North America. The mix of new creative directions and the nostalgia of established characters keeps the conversation lively among fans in Canada and the United States, where box office and streaming discussions alike shape the potential for future installments.
Beyond the cinematic plans, industry commentary points to how studios balance daring originality with the lure of familiar icons. The Pirates of the Caribbean conversations exemplify a broader trend in contemporary franchises: maintaining relevancy by pairing bold storytelling choices with strategic casting decisions and timing considerations that reflect labor dynamics, market rhythms, and shifting audience preferences. As the dialogue unfolds, it remains unclear which route the series will ultimately take, but the dialogue itself signals a franchise that continues to provoke interest and debate across North American audiences.