The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is Hollywood’s most contradictory achievement. Once it was a cultural giant—dominating box offices, inspiring theme park reboots, and making popular one of cinema’s finest antiheroes. Today, it floats in questionable waters, suspended between longing for its swashbuckling past and the uncertain tides of what is to be seen.
Ever since Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017, the franchise has been dormant. A mix of backlot drama, declining critical interest, and changing studio agendas has left the future of the franchise uncertain. And yet, its fan base remains strong. Rumors of new movies continue to swirl, with producers hinting at a combination of old favorites and fresh faces but not being specific. When asked about the cast, longtime producer Jerry Bruckheimer only teased, “Not all new,” and left everyone speculating about which characters would return.
Orlando Bloom, who portrayed the chivalrous Will Turner, has said he wants to go back to the high seas. He’s confirmed that there are behind-the-scenes talks about getting back together with original co-stars. Whether that means Keira Knightley or Johnny Depp is yet to be known, but Bloom’s commitment has given fans’ dreams a significant boost.
In the meantime, Disney seems to be mulling its next moves. Two different directions are said to be in development: one a complete reboot with an entirely new cast, and the other a possible spin-off with the lead character female. Margot Robbie has been tossed around as a name for the latter, but nothing is firm. Both versions have writers reportedly in place, but the studio has not yet officially stated which direction it will go.
Meanwhile, fan anticipation hasn’t faded. Social media buzz, including fan-made trailers envisioning new journeys with old companions, keeps building. One especially viral idea brought back Davy Jones, with Jack Sparrow and Will Turner reunited, along with a new character played by Robbie. The success of the trailer is exactly what most fans intuitively sense: the series just wouldn’t be the same without Jack Sparrow in the driver’s seat.
Yes, Pirates of the Caribbean is more than its iconic characters. Its legacy also rests on its innovative visual effects, particularly the construction of Davy Jones, one of the greatest-looking CGI characters ever to appear on screen. How he succeeded was thanks to a single-minded creative vision: his face covered in tentacles was not merely a technical effect, but part of his creepy, otherworldly aura. All of it, from the independent motion of his tentacles to the feel of his skin, was serving the story. And since Bill Nighy’s performance was recorded through motion capture, the character still expressed emotion in subtle facial movements.
Smart visual design also brought Davy Jones’ look together. His mouth and eyes still had a human center, which made people empathize with him, but the sea-creature elements created an otherworldly sense about him. By having him dress most of his body in dark, wet clothing, the producers cunningly stayed away from many of the traps that cause digitally created characters to have a false sense about them. Lighting also helped a great deal—he was frequently dressed in low or dramatic lighting conditions that aided the illusion.
This blend of physical and digital effects was a staple of the Pirates franchise from the beginning. Real boats, physical sets, and location work kept the fantasy anchored in reality. It’s a trick that still pays dividends throughout the industry. Consider how Jurassic Park’s T Rex remains so convincing—it’s because animatronics were utilized in close-up shots, with CGI inserted only as needed. Similarly, the mix of on-screen effects and CGI made fantasy films such as The Lord of the Rings appear grounded in reality.
The visual effects team behind Pirates—long considered one of the best in the business—has always taken a story-first approach. Whether using miniature models, motion capture, or the latest digital tools, the goal has never been flashy effects for their own sake. It’s always been about enhancing the world and deepening the storytelling. That commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship remains one of the franchise’s greatest strengths.
And now that the series is at a critical juncture, a great deal is at stake with whatever happens next. Will the studio go all-in on nostalgia, try to make a daring reboot, or try to strike a middle ground between respecting what came before and sailing new seas? One thing is certain: the core of Pirates of the Caribbean has never been about swashbuckling set pieces or visual spectacle. It’s about good decisions—artistic, emotional, and technical ones—that bring it to life.
Regardless of the shape the next chapter takes, it must convey that same magic, wonder, and intelligence of storytelling that initially captured our hearts for life on the high seas.