A larger-than-life Jack Sparrow, in his three-dimensional swashbuckling glory? Get this and more when Walt Disney Pictures’ “Pirates of the Cariibean: On Stranger Tides” sails to theaters in full, immersive 3D.
“On Stranger Tides” is the first “Pirates” flick shot with digital 3D cameras. The filmmakers make good use of the 3D imagery in action sequences, which include a shot where Penelope Cruz’s character, Angelica, tries to stab Depp’s Capt. Jack through a closed door, her sword leaping off the screen right at the audience.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Rob Marshall were interested from the start in doing the movie in 3D, which can boost revenues since fans pay a few dollars more than they do to see 2D versions.
“But the technology scared us a little, only because, you saw ‘Avatar,’ that was all done on sound stages. Nobody had ever taken these cameras out into the jungles and did a big adventure picture,” Bruckheimer says.
“Rob did an enormous amount of research with the cinematographer, and we finally went to Disney and said, ‘Look, we really think we can do this.’ And they thought about it for a while, because it increases the costs, but in the end, they agreed with us and said, ‘Let’s go for it.’”
Meanwhile, Johnny Depp’s tour guide on his “Pirates of the Caribbean” voyages is plotting the course for a fifth installment even before the fourth movie voyages into cinemas.
Bruckheimer says he has a screenplay in the works for a fifth “Pirates” tale after May’s “On Stranger Tides” comes out. Based on the Disney theme-park ride, the original three “Pirates” blockbusters ended up as a trilogy continuing the same key characters and story line. Bruckheimer says “On Stranger Tides” and future “Pirates” flicks will be stand-alone stories continuing the adventures of Depp’s woozy buccaneer Capt. Jack Sparrow.
Bruckheimer and Marshall showed off footage recently at CinemaCon, a Las Vegas convention of theater owners. At test screenings of “On Stranger Tides,” “the audience told us what they loved about it is that it was fresh, it was new, it was a whole new story,” Bruckheimer said in an interview alongside Marshall. “So that will carry over into the next one, too, to give it something fresh and different. As long as the audience embraces this one, we’ll certainly try to make another one. It’s really up to Johnny. He loves the character.”
Geoffrey Rush reprises his role as Jack’s rival, Barbossa, who has switched sides, no longer a pirate but a privateer sailing on the orders of the British monarchy. Penelope Cruz co-stars as the fiery daughter of the pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane).
Marshall popped the question about co-starring in the “Pirates” sequel over dinner with Cruz while he was directing her in the musical “Nine.”
“She jumped out of her chair and said, ‘Oh, my God. I’d love to. I’ve always wanted to do an adventure like this.’ So it was perfect,” Marshall said. “I had mentioned her to Jerry and Johnny, and immediately they said yes, that seems exactly right. Because there are not that many people that really can match him. He’s so unique, and he has so many different characteristics. Charisma and sex appeal. He’s funny and he’s athletic and he’s a strong actor. So who can match that?”
Celebrity Health!
After weeks of revisions to address safety concerns, a retooled and injury-free version of 'Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark' premiered its first preview performance Thursday night in New York City.
