Apparently Johnny Depp isn’t the only one down for another swashbuckling go-around in the enchanted waters of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. Deadline is reporting that screenwriter Terry Rossio, who has co-scripted all of the previous films (including this summer’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides“), has officially signed on to pen the fifth installment. Deadline notes that this will be the first ‘Pirates’ adventure he’s written without his longtime writing partner Ted Elliott, which indeed is intriguing.
Supposedly Depp thought these guys did such a bang-up job on the two sequels that he wasn’t willing to return to the franchise without them. This says a lot, especially considering how buddy-buddy he is with the original trilogy’s director Gore Verbinski (Depp voices the lead character in Verbinski’s upcoming animated western “Rango“). Verbinski said no to a fourth film but Depp stayed put. Not without Rossio and Elliott, though.
We wonder if this is a preemptive move to definitively secure Depp for the fifth film. From what we understand “On Stranger Tides” is more of a one-off romp but if there were future sequels we’ve heard that they would dip back into the potentially risky, mythology-strewn realm of the latter films “Dead Man’s Chest” and “At World’s End.”
The Deadline article notes that Disney is also trying to solidify a deal to have Rob Marshall, director of “Chicago” and “Nine,” to return for another film (he helmed “On Stranger Tides”). We wonder what the sudden flurry of activity is about; maybe Disney brass saw the new film and were strongly encouraged by what they witnessed? Maybe they got a hold of a copy of Entertainment Weekly this week where Depp casually said he’d potentially be game for a fifth film. Or maybe they’re just clamoring after a surefire franchise since “Tron Legacy,” their next great tent-pole hope, didn’t exactly wow audiences like they expected. The thinking seems to be that, like the theme park ride it’s based upon, people will be eager to watch the new one and get in line for another entry in the not-too-distant future. That or they’ll ditch “Pirates” all together and see what’s happening in Tomorrowland.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” (and in 3D!) splashes into theaters May 20th.
I am fighting for accountability against Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio – who are "thieves" – yes I have sued them. And I will continue to seek justice.
1) Stemming from Michael Eisner, and still involving him, I have documented proof of Michael Eisner, and Robert A. Iger being involved with "criminal acts" including conspiracy and fraud among certain employees with which to have themselves and the Walt Disney Company financially profit from. This is in addition to the Walt Disney Companyâs and Jerry Bruckheimer Films/Inc. continual exploitation and copyright right infringement of my intellectual property for their Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise. This includes my characters, such as the eccentric pirate, the Black Pearl pirate ship and fictional inventions.
2) The big picture is that the Walt Disney Company has become home to a group of individuals who act like a slick gang – aka âgangstersâ, who would include Michael D. Eisner, Robert A. Iger, Sanford âSandyâ Litvack, Martin âMartyâ Sklar, Jerry Bruckheimer, and their Disney associates Jason Surrell, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, who continue to profit from utilizing the company resources to commit criminal and illegal acts, while pretending that follow the law, while justifying that they answer to no one.
3) The Walt Disney Company, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio and Jerry Bruckheimer Films/Inc. and their attorneys Brocchini, Litvack and Singerâs corrupt, unethical, criminal and illegal acts are not a matter of opinion, as it is all documented with photo proof and documents. To date, some documents of the photo proof have been provided to various government entities and shared with investors/public record.
4) Is this what the industry is all about? Thieves "con artists" who steal to profit and succeed off the backs of independent artists? As many are actually profiting off my creative work, stolen by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and then falsely credited to Marc Davis. Meanwhile Disney continues to protect and reward Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, as well as their accomplices Jason Surrell and Marty Sklar.
5) Who AM I ? – In the 1990's I had my work handled/reviewed by CAA including by agent Justin Connolly and at William Morris by James Stein. My legal action started while Michael Eisner was still at the Walt Disney Comany as its CEO but this serious issue goes back to the 1990's when Eisner / Disney wanted my creative work and I had refused to sell it. Michael Eisner even had memo drawn up in his own handwriting in regards to me back in 1992/1993.
6) Copy of PDF letter / material sent to the Walt Disney Company – as well as to NY attorney General, and the NY Departmental Disciplinary Committee, is available upon request. To date, some documents of the photo proof have been provided to various government entities and shared with investors/public record.
I welcome all communications and will answer questions and provided documented photo proof to my claims. Feel free to share my letter, and my website – and I welcome all communications with anyone. Yes, I will continue to fight for accountability, and if there is any righteousness within you – I do hope you would reflect and ask questions.
This serious matter is far from over.
Royce Mathew disneylawsuit (dot) com