PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES Update

The press release from Walt Disney Pictures Studios:

Walt Disney Pictures’/Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ Comedy Adventure “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” in Disney Digital3D(TM) Begins Production.

Johnny Depp returns to his Academy Award(R)-nominated role of Captain Jack Sparrow, joined by Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, IanMcShane, Kevin R. McNally, Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Sam Claflin in Fourth Entry of  the Blockbuster Franchise.

Production has commenced on location in Hawaii, the United Kingdom and Los Angeles on Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ sweeping comedy adventure “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), the fourth entry in the blockbuster franchise which has already reaped $2.7 billion in worldwide box office from the previous three films, and the first to be filmed and presented in Disney Digital 3D(TM).

Johnny Depp returns to his iconic, Academy Award(R)-nominated role of Captain Jack Sparrow, newly joined by Academy Award winner Penelope Cruz (“Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” Rob Marshall’s “Nine”), Ian McShane (HBO’s “Deadwood”) and newcomers Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Sam Claflin. Also rejoining Johnny Depp and Captain Jack are Academy Award-winner and three-time nominee Geoffrey Rush (“Shine,” “Shakespeare inLove”) and Kevin R. McNally (first three “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “Valkyrie”). The film is slated to open May 20, 2011.

The film’s synopsis:

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise — this time in Disney Digital 3D(TM). In this action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise, Captain Jack Sparrow crosses paths with awoman from his past (Penelope Cruz), and he’s not sure if it’s love–or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fearmore: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.Rush reprises his role as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa, and Kevin R. McNally returns as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs. Claflin stars as a stalwart missionary, while Berges-Frisbey is transformed into a mysterious mermaid.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES is written by”Pirates” veterans Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Barry Waldman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio and John DeLuca.

Joining Bruckheimer and Marshall for the new voyage is a top-flight group of award-winning behind-the-scenes artists, including director of photography Dariusz Wolski (first three “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland”), production designerJohn Myhre (two-time Academy Award(R) winner for Marshall’s “Chicago”and “Memoirs of a Geisha”), costume designer Penny Rose (all three “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”), visual effects supervisor Charles Gibson, who won an Academy Award for “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” Oscar(R) winner and eight-time nominee special effects supervisor JohnFrazier (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films,” “Pearl Harbor”) and stunt coordinator George Marshall Ruge, who also devoted his talentsto the previous three “Pirates” films as well as Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer’s “National Treasure” franchise. The editors includetwo Oscar winners, Michael Kahn (“Prince of Persia: The Sands ofTime”) and David Brenner (“Born on the Fourth of July”), as well as Wyatt Smith (Marshall’s “Nine”).

Rob Marshall’s first three films, “Chicago,” “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Nine,” have been honored with a total of 23 Academy Award(R) nominations. For his work on “Chicago,” winner of six Oscars(R) including Best Picture, Marshall received the Director’s Guild Award, an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe Award(R) nomination, a BAFTA nomination The National Board of Review Award and the New York Film Critics Online Award. A six-time Tony Award(R) nominee and George Abbott Award winner, Marshall’s extensive work on Broadwayincludes co-director and choreographer of the worldwide award-winning production of “Cabaret” and director/choreographer of the Broadway revival of “Little Me,” along with many others. He also produced, directed and choreographed the NBC television special “Tony Bennett: AnAmerican Classic,” which earned seven Emmy Awards(R), including three for Marshall, and directed and  choreographed Disney/ABC’s critically acclaimed movie musical “Annie,” which received 12 Emmynominations with two wins, including Marshall for Outstanding Choreography; it also won the prestigious Peabody Award.

The press release finished by saying PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES will film on the islands of Kauai and Oahu, Hawaii, followed by locations and studio workin the United Kingdom and Los Angeles.