Two decades ago, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl hit the movie theaters. And, rest, as they say, is history. This iconic film not only emerged as a massive blockbuster but also paved the way for one of the most successful movie franchises in history.
During the early 1990s, renowned screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio set out on a mission to revitalize the pirate genre within the realm of cinema. Their creative minds converged to conceive an exciting concept centered around a thrilling swashbuckling adventure, drawing inspiration from the renowned Pirates of the Caribbean Disney World ride. However, Steven Spielberg was also interested in directing the film.
Steven Spielberg Wanted Robin Williams As Jack Sparrow
The script caught the attention of acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who expressed a strong interest in taking the directorial reins. Spielberg envisioned charismatic actors such as Bill Murray, Steve Martin, or Robin Williams for the iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow. However, despite Spielberg’s enthusiasm, Disney did not share the same enthusiasm for the script or the envisioned direction, leading to the shelving of the project.
In 2002, producer Jerry Bruckheimer took charge of the project, revitalizing its development. Bruckheimer enlisted the original writers, Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott, to refine the script. They skillfully incorporated a supernatural element inspired by the narration of the theme park ride, adding an exciting twist to the story.
Gore Verbinski was handpicked by producer Jerry Bruckheimer to direct the film, and Verbinski enthusiastically embraced the concept, driven by his appreciation for the popularity of pirate movies during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Johnny Depp Wasn’t The First Choice For The Role
Disney was in search of a well-known actor to portray the iconic character of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. At first, they contemplated casting Michael Keaton, Jim Carrey, and Christopher Walken for the role. However, director Gore Verbinski introduced the idea of selecting Johnny Depp for the part.
Although the studio initially had concerns about Johnny Depp’s marketability, they ultimately decided to cast him in the iconic role. This choice turned out to be a crucial turning point as Depp’s depiction of Captain Jack Sparrow not only exceeded all expectations but also went on to become one of the most iconic and cherished performances in the history of cinema.
While delving into the world of pirates, Johnny Depp unearthed the intriguing fact that they were akin to the rock stars of their time. Drawing inspiration from this realization, Depp modeled Captain Jack Sparrow’s mannerisms after the iconic Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. To conceal Depp’s modern tattoos and further authenticate his character, the makeup team expertly applied charcoal to his skin.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Twitter
