Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales star Brenton Thwaites discusses Henry Turner's motivations in the upcoming film. Disney's massive Pirates of the Caribbean franchise continues to grow this year, with the new installment that introduces the next generation of pirates for the series. The movie brings back some familiar faces - not just franchise star Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), but the hero of the first three films, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom). Dead Men Tell No Tales also introduces Will's son, Henry, who is on a quest to save his father and help Jack find the Trident of Poseidon.
The film promises the same kind of swashbuckling action that made the first three installments in the franchise so successful, as well as a return to form after the less-than-brilliant fourth installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. There's a lot going on in this adventure, as usual, but the story of Henry Turner and the return of Will Turner is going to be one of the most important parts, especially if the franchise is going to be reinvigorated with the Turner's back in the spotlight for future movies.
Thwaites spoke about his role in the film with USA Today, and how his journey and character mirrors that of Henry's father. He's even on the same quest that his father was - to save his father from the Flying Dutchman. Thwaites said:
He’s a guy who wants to do good and help people. Us young men are always trying to break the curse of our fathers. It will never end.
Of course, the two Turners are in slightly different situations. Will Turner's father was bound to the Dutchman as a sailor, and was slowly becoming part of the ship and losing his mind under the Captainship of Davy Jones (Bill Nighy). Will was able to save him, but in the process, he took over as Captain of the Flying Dutchman himself, and his father chose to stay on as crew to re-pay his debt. Now Henry is looking for Will, but Will's connection to the Dutchman is very different to that of his father's - and there is no Davy Jones to trick into giving him his freedom.
Of course, Thwaites' comments aren't just about Henry's quest to save Will, but about his character. The article also describes Henry as having "belief in the supernatural and mythologies [that] gets him in trouble," and as "honorable," traits that are no doubt going to be important to the story, and to his relationship with astronomer Carina (Kaya Scodelario). Still, it sounds very much like Henry is similar to his father in many ways, and will be the earnest, do-gooder hero of this latest addition to the Pirates franchise.
Next: Pirates of the Caribbean 5 – How Does Will Fit Into the Story?
Source: USA Today
