Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)
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| Pirates of the Caribbean | |
|---|---|
 2007 DVD box set |
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| Directed by | Gore Verbinski |
| Produced by | Jerry Bruckheimer |
| Written by | Ted Elliott Terry Rossio |
| Starring | Johnny Depp Orlando Bloom Keira Knightley Geoffrey Rush Jack Davenport Jonathan Pryce Kevin McNally Mackenzie Crook Lee Arenberg Bill Nighy Tom Hollander Naomie Harris Stellan Skarsgård Chow Yun-Fat Keith Richards |
| Distributed by | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 2003 – present |
| Running time | 461 minutes |
| Country |  |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $665 million |
| Gross revenue | $2.7 billion |
Pirates of the Caribbean is a trilogy of adventure films directed by Gore Verbinski, written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. They are based on a Walt Disney theme park ride of the same name, and follow the pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, portrayed by Johnny Depp. The trilogy was first released on the big screen on July 9, 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. After the unexpected success of the first film, Walt Disney Pictures revealed that a trilogy was in the works. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was released three years later on July 7, 2006. The sequel proved to be very successful, breaking records worldwide the day of its premiere. In the end it acquired a total of $1,066,179,725 at the worldwide box office, becoming the third and fastest film to reach this staggering amount. The last film in the trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was released worldwide on May 24, 2007. Altogether, the film franchise has grossed over $2.79 billion worldwide.
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[edit] Development
During the early 1990s,[1] screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio conceived of writing a film based on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. In their original pitch, Will Turner was the lead role, and the villainous pirates were searching for treasure. Steven Spielberg expressed interest, and wanted to cast Bill Murray, Robin Williams or Steve Martin as Jack Sparrow. Disney was already making Muppet Treasure Island at the time and did not give permission for the film to be made because the two had similar storylines.[2]
Disney had Jay Wolpert write a script based on the ride, which producer Jerry Bruckheimer rejected, feeling it was, "a straight pirate movie."[3] Stuart Beattie was brought in to rewrite the script in March 2002, due to his knowledge of piracy,[4] and later that month Elliott and Rossio were brought in.[3] Elliott and Rossio were inspired by the opening narration of the Pirates of the Caribbean theme park ride, and decided to give the film a supernatural edge.[5] As the budget rose, Michael Eisner and Bob Iger threatened to cancel the film, though Bruckheimer changed their minds when he showed them concept art and animatics.[6]
In May 2002 Gore Verbinski signed on to direct Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush signed on the following month to star.[4].Verbinski was attracted to the idea of using modern technology to resurrect a genre that had disappeared after the Golden Age of Hollywood, and recalled his childhood memories of the ride, feeling the film was an opportunity to pay tribute to the "scary and funny" tone of it. Depp was attracted to the story as he found it quirky: rather than trying to find treasure, the crew of the Black Pearl were trying to return it in order to lift their curse; also, the traditional mutiny had already taken place. Verbinski approached Rush for the role of Barbossa, as he knew he would not play it with attempts at complexity, but with a simple villainy that would suit the story's tone.[7] Orlando Bloom read the script after Rush, whom he was working with on Ned Kelly, suggested it to him.[8] Keira Knightley came as a surprise to Verbinski: he had not seen her performance in Bend It Like Beckham and was impressed by her audition.[7] Tom Wilkinson was negotiated with to play Governor Swann,[4] but the role went to Jonathan Pryce, whom Depp idolized.[7]
Shooting for The Curse of the Black Pearl began on October 9, 2002 and wrapped by March 2003.[4] Before its release, many had expected the film to be a flop, as the pirate genre had not been successful for years, that the film was based on a theme park ride, and that Johnny Depp rarely made a big film.[9] However The Curse of the Black Pearl became both a critical[10] and commercial[11] success.
Seeing the film's performance, the cast and crew signed on for two more sequels to be shot back-to-back,[12] a practical decision on Disney's part to allow more time with the same cast and crew.[13] Writer Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio decided not to make the sequels new adventures featuring the same characters, as with the Indiana Jones and James Bond series, but to retroactively turn The Curse of the Black Pearl into the first of a trilogy.[14] They wanted to explore the reality of what would happen after Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann's embrace at the end of the first film, and initially considered the Fountain of Youth as the plot device.[15] They settled on introducing Davy Jones, the Flying Dutchman and the Kraken, a mythology only mentioned twice in the first film. They also introduced the historical East India Trading Company, who for them represented a counterpoint to the themes of personal freedom represented by pirates.[16]
Filming for the sequels began on February 28, 2005,[17] with Dead Man's Chest finishing on March 1, 2006,[18], and At World's End on January 10, 2007.[19]
[edit] Films
[edit] Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Elizabeth Swann, daughter of the Governor of Jamaica, is kidnapped by the crew of the Black Pearl, led by Captain Hector Barbossa, in order to release a curse placed on them after stealing Aztec gold. Blacksmith Will Turner, a friend of Elizabeth who is also in love with her, persuades pirate captain Jack Sparrow to help him in the rescue.
[edit] Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Lord Cutler Beckett, a powerful and ruthless East India Trading Company agent, arrests Will and Elizabeth for aiding Jack Sparrow's escape. Beckett however offers clemency if Will agrees to search for Sparrow and his magical compass. At the same time, Sparrow tries to release himself from an old debt with villainous Davy Jones.
[edit] Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
Cutler Beckett gains power over Davy Jones, and with the help of Jones' ship, The Flying Dutchman, is now executing his plans to extinguish piracy. To combat the EITC, the crew of the Black Pearl goes rescuing Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones' Locker, because he is one of the nine pirate lords needed to summon an ancient goddess.
[edit] Principal cast
[edit] Reception
[edit] Box office
| Title | U.S. release date | Total worldwide box office |
Total worldwide box office (adjusted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Curse of the Black Pearl | July 9, 2003 | $654,264,015 [11] | $733,355,856 [11] |
| Dead Man's Chest | July 7, 2006 | $1,066,179,725[20] | $1,100,297,476[20] |
| At World's End | May 24, 2007 | $960,713,181[21] | $960,713,181[21] |
| Totals films 1-3 as of October 4th, 2007 | $2,680,885,948 | $2,794,366,513 | |
Both the second and third films set box office records. Dead Man's Chest broke the records for largest opening day gross with $55.8 million, and biggest opening weekend gross with $135.6 million,[22] and would set 15 other box office records, including the fastest film to reach $200 and $300 million, the highest ten-day gross, and the fastest film to reach $1 billion worldwide.[20] At World's End broke the Memorial Day gross record. [23]
Curse of the Black Pearl was 2003's third highest gross in North America (behind The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Finding Nemo) and fourth worldwide (behind Return of the King, Nemo and The Matrix Reloaded).[24] Dead Man's Chest was the highest of 2006 both domestically and worldwide,[25] and became the third highest-grossing film of all time, behind Titanic and Return of the King. At World's End was 2007's highest gross worldwide, and second domestically (behind Spider-Man 3).[26]
[edit] Critical reaction
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Yahoo! Movies | |
| Overall | Cream of the Crop | |||
| Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl | 79% (194 reviews)[10] | 65% (37 reviews)[27] | 64% (41 reviews)[28] | B- (14 reviews)[29] |
| Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest | 54% (207 reviews)[30] | 42% (36 reviews)[31] | 53% (37 reviews)[32] | B- (14 reviews)[33] |
| Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End | 45% (202 reviews)[34] | 34% (38 reviews)[35] | 50% (36 reviews)[36] | C+ (15 reviews)[37] |
[edit] Future
Walt Disney Pictures has reportedly made tentative plans to shoot a fourth film in 2009.[38] Johnny Depp has stated that he would love to play Jack Sparrow for another trilogy "if they had a good script."[39] In February 2007, after filming was completed on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, screenwriter Terry Rossio said he and Ted Elliott may try to write a screenplay, though "It's like the fourth Indiana Jones picture — there are forces in play to make it happen, and forces in play to make it not happen."[40] Geoffrey Rush has expressed interest in returning as Barbossa.[41]
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has indicated interest in a spin-off,[42] but was exhausted by the trilogy's production.[43] Gore Verbinski feels that "the big danger is diminishing the brand [...] it would have to be a tale worthy of telling" for him to return.[44] If the director returned, he noted that "I would start fresh and focus on the further adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow."[45] Unlike the previous films, he will not do it without a complete script.[46] Keira Knightley has stated that she does not wish to continue playing her character of Elizabeth Swann as she wants to do different projects, since she has been involved in the filming since she was 17 years old.[47]
[edit] References
- ^ Gerard Raiti. "ILM and Disney Make Pirate Perfection", VFXWorld, 2003-07-11. Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, B105 FM on July 10, 2006
- ^ a b Stax. "Depp & Bruckheimer Talk Pirates", IGN, 2003-06-25. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
- ^ a b c d Greg Dean Schmitz. Greg's Previews - Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). Yahoo!. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
- ^ Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie, Jay Wolpert. (2003). Audio Commentary (DVD). Buena Vista.
- ^ "Exclusive Interview: Jerry Bruckheimer", Moviehole, 2007-05-21. Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
- ^ a b c Gore Verbinski, Johnny Depp. (2003). Audio Commentary (DVD). Buena Vista.
- ^ Caroline Westbrook. "Pirates films tests its stars", BBC, 2003-08-08. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
- ^ Chris Nashawaty. "Box Office Buccaneer", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2007-05-18.
- ^ a b Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
- ^ a b c Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
- ^ Brian Linder. "Back-to-Back Pirates", IGN, 2003-10-21. Retrieved on 2007-05-12.
- ^ (2006). According to Plan: The Harrowing and True Story of Dead Man's Chest (DVD). Buena Vista.
- ^ Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio. (2006). Audio Commentary (DVD). Buena Vista.
- ^ (2006). Charting the Return (DVD). Buena Vista.
- ^ Everything Relates Back to What Started Everything Off in the First. Production Notes. Retrieved on 2007-05-23.
- ^ Los Angeles: The Voyage Begins. Production Notes. Retrieved on 2007-05-24.
- ^ Chapter 7 - Return to The Bahamas. Production Notes. Retrieved on 2007-05-24.
- ^ "Aloha Oe: Hawaii Farewell", Production Notes. Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
- ^ a b c Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ a b Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ 'Pirates' raid record books. Box Office Mojo (2006-07-10). Retrieved on 2007-09-17.
- ^ "`Pirates' Opens With $156,055 Million", Yahoo!, 2007-05-27. Retrieved on 2007-05-27.
- ^ 2003 WORLDWIDE GROSSES. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ 2006 WORLDWIDE GROSSES. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ 2007 WORLDWIDE GROSSES. Box Office Mojo. Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Cream of the Crop). Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - Critics Reviews. Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (Cream of the Crop). Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006): Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Critics Reviews. Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Cream of the Crop). Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - Critics Reviews. Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
- ^ "Bon Voyage, Pirates?", IGN, 2007-05-10. Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
- ^ Stax. "Depp on More Pirates", IGN, 2006-06-19. Retrieved on 2007-01-14.
- ^ "Exclusive interview: Terry Rossio", Moviehole, 2007-02-12. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ Shawn Adler. "Will ‘Pirates 4’ Find The Fountain Of Youth?", MTV, 2007-09-18. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ "Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Might Be a Spin-Off", USA Today, 2007-05-10. Retrieved on 2007-05-10.
- ^ "Bruckheimer Won't Commit to Another 'Pirates' Movie", Internet Movie Database, 2007-05-29. Retrieved on 2007-05-30.
- ^ Ian Nathan. "Pirates 3", Empire, 2007-04-27, pp. 88-92. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
- ^ Steve Fritz. "Talking Pirates with Gore Verbinski", Newsarama, 2007-11-30. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
- ^ Shawn Adler. "‘Pirates’ Director Admits ‘At World’s End’ Problems, Won’t Set Sail Again Without Script", MTV, 2008-02-08. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Baz Bamigboye, "Swann song from pirate maid Keira", Daily Mail, November 10, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Wikia has a wiki on this subject: Pirates of the Carribean
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