Casting on the billion dollar swashbuckling series is getting well underway, with Maleficent‘s Brenton Thwaites now in Disney’s crosshairs for Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Courtesy of The Wrap, who revealed the scoop exclusively, it seems the studio are looking to secure his fresh young presence to steer the flailing franchise into more lucrative waters.
Previous reports indicated that Thwaites was on a shortlist of up-and-coming actors in contention for the sought-after role. Alongside the young Aussie, Ansel Elgort, Taron Egerton, Mitchell Hope, George Mackay, and Sam Keeley were all thought to be competing for the role of British soldier Henry.
After an appearance this year as the Prince in Sleeping Beauty reboot, Maleficent, and stellar turns in Oculus and The Giver, there’s no reason to doubt the rising star can’t tackle the grit of such a colossal franchise. And now that Thwaites is ironing out the details for his involvement, we can add him to the growing list of characters.
Directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg (Kon Tiki) have locked in returning star Johnny Depp, who will be reprising his eyeliner-sodden role of Captain Jack Sparrow. At times caricaturish, he’s emerged as the face of the entire Pirates brand, so it’s no surprise he’ll be back. His new adversary is rumoured to be Javier Bardem, who’s lined up to play Captain Brand. A ruthless seafarer, he’s hellbent on avenging his brother’s death – which he believes Sparrow is responsible for. Will Geoffrey Rush’s Captain Barbarossa be his wingman in this adventure? It’s possible. Similarly, Orlando Bloom hasn’t ruled out the possibility of popping up for a cameo.
Back to oversee production is Jerry Bruckheimer, who will no doubt be on hand to ensure Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales sails into theatres on July 7th, 2017.