Disney Hires New Writer For PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 5

Variety is reporting Disney has hired another writer to tackle the script for Pirates of The Caribbean 5. Jeff Nathanson best known for writing Catch Me If You Can and Terminal has landed the screenwriting gig. However, he also worked on Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skulls, Speed 2, Tower Heist and Rush Hour 3. A majority of these credits don't scream quality but he might be working on existing drafts. Depp is likely a sure-thing but returning cast members such as Geoffrey Rush and others are currently unknown.

Last we heard On Strange Tides director Rob Marshall confirmed franchise writer Terry Rossio was working on the script. It seemed that Marshall was open to directing it as well. However, CinemaBlend listed a group of hopefuls Disney was looking to direct the fifth installment if Rob didn't return. That list included Tim Burton (Alice In Wonderland), Sam Raimi (Oz, The Great And Powerful), Shawn Levy (Real Steal), Chris Weitz (About A Boy, A Better Life), and Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men).

Edgar Wright Will Direct Johnny Depp In Night Stalker

It looks like Edgar Wright's relationship with Marvel Studios has paid off. Deadline reports that Disney has tapped Edgar (Hott Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim) to direct Johnny Depp in a feature adaptation of The Night Stalker. It's based on the 70's horror comedy television film which spawned a TV series. It featured a reporter who covered crime for a tabloid and his cases always led to supernatural perpetrators that included zombies, vampires, werewolves and aliens. Of course, neither his editor nor anyone else would believe him or allow him to run what seemed like outrageous stories. It will be produced by Depp as another one of his passion projects similar to how he put together Dark Shadows.

Depp has a rather strong relationship with Disney as he is currently filming The Lone Ranger and has Pirates 5 in development at the studio. It's expected that Edgar will end up writing the film but he is busy with Ant-Man and recently with World's End with Simon Pegg. Night Stalker is the first post-Scott Pilgrim directing announcement for Wright. Even through he's been long attached to Ant-Man for Marvel Studios a production start or official announcement was never stated. Currently it's unknown when this project could go into production since their isn't a script in place.

Disney Could Look To Burton, Raimi, & Cuarón To Direct Pirates 5

CinemaBlend has word that Disney is eager to start developing Pirates 5 and are looking for a director. Not surprising as the fourth film is already north of $640 million. While they have a script in place from Terry Rossio as reported by HollywoodReporter. The curious thing is that Rob Marshall hasn't officially signed on to direct, yet is still wanted by the studio (just lip-service?). While successful financially the fourth film got only average reviews from critics. Blend has word that Disney is looking at Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, Shawn Levy, Alfonso Cuarón and Chris Weitz for the fifth installment.

Burton had been looked at for Pirates 4 but never signed on. He's becoming a studio stable with Alice In Wonderland, Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie and his Sleeping Beauty project Maleficent. I like the idea of Burton entering the world of Pirates but I'm not sure he would deliver a film any better than the previous ones.

Sam Raimi is directing the studio's next big fairy tale picture Oz, The Great & Powerful the Oz prequel which focuses on a young wizard. Raimi seems like the safest choice out of the bunch and could give audiences a fun film if given breathing room. My only concern is that he also had been working on pre-production for Warcraft which is likely his next film.

Alfonso Cuarón is the director that should be turning heads. His wonderful film Children of Men proved he's got the visual and storytelling chops that most directors inspired to have. Giving audiences family friendly entertainment with The Prisoner of Azkaban while keeping his dark style. Alfonso also has the promise of pumping the new blood needed to keep the franchise going. Unlike Raimi and Burton, Cuarón isn't deep in development on other large projects.

The filler choices seem to be Shawn Levy (Date Night, Real Steel) and Chris Weitz (Golden Compass) neither directors of garnered praise or success for their previous films as of yet. Levy is set to direct a remake of The Fantastic Voyage for producer James Cameron. There have also been talk of other projects with Hugh Jackman including a Real Steel sequel. Weitz seems an odd choice and left field when compared to the other candidates.

Pirates 5 & Pirates 6 To Shoot In 2012?

 HitFix is reporting that Disney is quietly planning on filming Pirates 5 and Pirates 6 sometime in the future. The films would be shot back to back similar to what happened with Deadman's Chest and World's End.  Of course this would only get greenlit if On Stranger Tides is a massive box office success which is assumed it will be. The current cast and director Rob Marshall are expected to return for the two films that would bookend a new trilogy. Depp will be busy with Dark Shadows and Lone Ranger next year so 2012 seems the best time for these films to start production.

I have to admit I enjoy Depp's Jack Sparrow no matter how ridiculous the sequels become. My expectations re high for the franchise since we're not saddled with Bloom and Knightley. Bringing in new blood and Rob Marshall could help give us something fresh and exciting.

 Depp is quickly becoming Disney's go-to-guy and I'm hopeful this could lead to him playing Doctor Strange. Disney has yet to announce their first Marvel film but Doctor Strange has been in Marvel Studios' expected new lineup for months now. There had been rumors of Johnny playing Strange with Guillermo del Toro possibly directing.

Guillermo del Toro while busy with At The Mountains of Madness is currently working with Disney for a new Haunted Mansion film. He's long been interested in Strange and Marvel seems interested to bring the character to the screen. If anyone could find way to bring the mystical superhero properly to life del Toro is the man. ndy