We recently found out the supposed plot for the fourth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, which, according to Hollywood Elsewhere, would feature Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Co. searching for the infamous Fountain of Youth. It’s not been officially announced but it seems plausible, and at this point we have no reason to think that it’s false.
So with that “semi-confirmed” plot (whatever that means) in mind, you could be forgiven for assuming Pirates 4 would be titled something akin to, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Search For the Fountain of Youth” or simply “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Fountain of Youth.” But no, at the D23 Disney Fan Expo, a logo/banner for the fourth Pirates movie was unveiled and it revealed the name and the release date: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has a (general) release date of Summer 2011.
On Stranger Tides, huh? I wonder just what that could mean. Since no plot details were revealed at the Disney Expo, that just leaves us all to speculate as to what the subtitle could be referring to. Could it mean Captain Jack Sparrow and Co. traveling to unknown, uncharted seas to find the Fountain of Youth? Do we take “Stranger” as in the characters don’t know what the “Tides” are? Or could it be something that will only make sense once you see the movie, as was the case with this summer’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
Erik Davis from Cinematical came across a pirate book by the same name as the newly assigned Pirates 4 subtitle. As Erik asks on Twitter – “Did Disney swipe the title from this book for Pirates 4?” or, “are they adapting it?” The Tim Powers written book is available on Amazon, here is the synopsis from it:
“Puppeteer John Chandagnac, bound for Jamaica to recover stolen money from his uncle, becomes Jack Shandy after pirates attack his ship and force him to join their crew. Shandy’s struggle to accept his new life grounds the story for readers, even as Blackbeard and vodun magicians whisk everyone away to dreamlike lands where the Fountain of Youth itself awaits. The chaotic sea battles sing, though at times key events happen so quickly that they get lost in the shuffle as Jack tries to comprehend where he’s going and what’s at stake.”
"On Stranger Tides" by Tim Powers
Hold on a minute: the Fountain of Youth (with a main character called Jack)? Isn’t that what Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is supposed to be about? I find it hard to believe that Disney isn’t aware of the existence of Powers’ book, and aren’t using as at least an inspiration, if not a full on basis for adaptation, like Cinematical says. That’s an interesting idea to ponder – four movies into a franchise looking elsewhere for material to base your story off of. If true, it could work tremendously in the film/franchise’s favor or it could seriously backfire. I’ll leave it to you to give your thoughts on which way it would go.
What do you think of the title of the fourth Pirates movie? Do you think the On Stranger Tides book is an inspiration/source for adaptation for Disney?
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has Chicago director, Rob Marshall, rumored to be directing, with Johnny Depp being the only cast member we know of so far who is definitely returning (Keira Knightley has previously said no to returning). Production is supposed to start next Spring and is (as mentioned) set to be released in the summer of 2011.
Sources: Cinematical and /Film
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stranger tides than at world’s end? is that possible? I would love to see a fresh take on the franchise but i was hoping for “more realistic shores”
I like the idea of starting a new series of adventures of Jack Sparrow and if they have to pull from a book to start it off that’s fine with me. There are a lot of good pirate stories (fiction) out there to pull from and if Disney’s goal is to break away from the original trilogy then this is the way to go.
Paul, yes, i couldn’t agree with you more there!. I bet that this upcoming pirates of the caribbean movie, turns out to be as good as the first movie, or if its even possible, beter then the first movie!.
I’m a big POTC fan. When I heard of the potential synopsis for the 4th installment I was kind of upset about the whole Captain Nemo type villain idea because isn’t Disney making 20,000 leagues under the sea? When I read that I said why don’t they stick to famous pirates we know like Blackbeard.
Which seems who may appear in this one if they are using that book’s story. However, personally, I think they are “borrowing” some elements from that book, not entirely using it if anything.
I think Blackbeard would be a great villain for this 4th film and if they borrow anything from that book that should be it. Whatever it is I can’t wait. I know they’ll come up with something good. My only qualms is that Gore isn’t returning? Wtf
Disney has almost certainly bought the rights to the novel, just as Stallone bought the rights to a novel to use for Rambo V. But i’m not sure why the writer of this piece describes the Fountain of Youth as ‘infamous’ – what’s it done wrong to earn notoriety?
Am I the only one who does not like the name for the fourth installment? It sounds campy and does fit very well with the series. The title should be used for another film series like Twilight or something.
Ive heard of this book before. this was, by my understanding, inspired by the original POTC ride and was one of the inspirations for the “monkey island” series of video games. I feel that disney’s access to the material is very intentional, as they’re looking to retain the spirit of the original movie. what better way than to access material inspired by the ride?
@David B – I don’t know, many Spanish soldiers died hunting for it and many native Florida Indians died as well looking for something that never existed. I live 30 minutes from St. Augustine where you can pay to the see the “real” one (which is nothing more than a bubbling fountain from Home Depot). So infamous might work.
@DJ Heinlein – Seriously dude? The title is too campy for PotC but fits just fine for Twilight? *shakes head slowly and with great sadness*
The only reason that Gore Verbinski isn’t returning is because he is directing Bioshock
sounds great to me, I am sure it will be as good as the others. can not wait!!!
The title does have a weird ring to it, but it could work. I like that they are kind of going away from what happened in the last movie. Glad to hear that Keira Kneightly isn’t going to be back, because really, what more can they do with her character? Captain Jack and Barbossa should be the only original characters brought back from the original films.
Oh and Paul, Twilight is the DEFINITION of campy.
The title could be changed but i like the thought of the search for the fountain of youth. It’s a good movie franchise. It entertains.
Why are you guys so down on Twilight all the time? Yes. Twilight the movie SUCKED- I hated it! Everything about it including the actors. BUT the books were excellent. Give us Twitards a break would you? I thought District 9 sucked but I don’t bring it up in EVERY stinking post I make. Sheesh!
New Moon will stay to the books so give it a chance.
Screw bioshock Gore needs to return for this film. Bioshock sucked as a game anyways. I just wiki’d that and it says he dropped out of the film anyways cause they decided to film overseas and it would have hindered his work on Rango. Then it says he’ll be producer?
Yeah, It would be great if gore verbinski would end up directing pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides. That would make pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides, a BIG box office hit!, especially with jerry bruckheimer still producing it, and johnny depp returning to the fourth movie as well!. I think though, that this time, rob marshall who that will be directing it, will do a wonderful job on it for sure!. I know that walt disney pictures and jery bruckheimer will make sure that this movie does not end up sucking!, because “of course!”, they would not want that to happen!, which is pretty obvious by now anyways!.
@Tweeb….
It’s because Twilight to most MEN is a stupid, vapid waste of paper and celluloid. OF course, that is just my opinion.
You MEN could learn a lot about women by reading Twilight. I know some pretty happy wives whose hubbies did read and LOVE Twilight.
I know, we ladies are complicated enough and you don’t want to have to think that much…blah, blah, blah…;)
I can see where you would feel that way because I have NEVER even considered reading any type of romance ever. I am pure horror all the way! But it got me. Just get past the first couple of chapters and give it a chance.
Just give it try guys, I promise that no one will take away your man cards.
Sorry Tweeb, but I am in a happy, successful relationship and reading a crappy romance novel is not going to make it any better. My GF loves me just the way I am.
There is soooo much GOOD reading material out there that I wouldn’t waste any of my time reading that garbage. OR any of my time watching that garbage. To each their own.
Let’s try to stay on topic guys. Crappy teeny-bopper twilight movies don’t even deserve to be mentioned nor discussed.
Really cool that Johnny showed up at Disney D23, dressed up as Captain Jack!!<3 He’s just amazing! He is a very busy guy, and he takes the time to do this!
He’s so wonderfull!
I’m really looking forward to this!D 
Wish I’ve could have been there..
Anyway, I think On Stranger Tides is a perfect title!
But 2011 is so far away…
I think that the title is good, but I’ll have to wait for more on the film before I can make any kind of decision towards it. I love the PotC movies, even though the sequels were such a disappointment to me in retrospective.
As for Twilight, I concur with Andy S. There is much, much better material out there to read than Twilight. Those books are a waste of paper and celluloid.
I just saw the video of Johnny at that expo that’s pretty awesome. I wear an accurate costume of Sparrow for cons and Halloween and did anyone notice he hast yet ANOTHER belt around his waist now? In the 1st one he had only one. In the 2nd and 3rd he had 2. Now he has 3 belts on haha.
Why do people have a problem with the name? It’s fine I honestly don’t see a problem with it. It sounds well and it fits IMO. It’s similar to At World’s End. Am I the only one that hears the similarity?
I think that adapting the book could work really well for the franchise. I love all of the Pirates movies, even 2 & 3, despite what other people think.
I do hope that On Stranger Tides will feel more like CotBP with a simpler plot and more humor.
I actually have more faith in this than in Spidey 4, but I dunno why. The title is fine for me and the plot seems much simpler which may be a good sign. Rob Marshall still seems like odd choice for me, though, so maybe the rumor won’t be true.
So far so good in my opinion, if I’m understanding the synopsis of the book and they do choose to adapt it for the movie it should work well and help write out Keira Knightley since it would seem that Jacks character gets ambushed and lives a whole new life which would allow for some characters to be the same like the crew of his ship he would be on at the moment of the ambush but yet write out Elizabeth by easily just making it a movie about Jack and his new life while introducing new characters like Black Beard. It in my opinion has the potential to be a good story and movie.
Jeremiah!, yes your right!. I totally agree with you!. I was actually thinking the same way you were about pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides!. The one thing i;m hoping this upcoming fourth movie has is, the originality of the first movie, and the same fun side that pirates 2 and 3 has as well!. I mainly think that johnny depp and geoffrey rush should be the ones who that are returning as captain jack sparrow and captain hector barbossa!. I think that pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides, will end up being the best pirates of the caribbean movie since pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl came out!.
The past two movies were TERRIBLE, i CANNOT believe that they made so much money at the box office. Be taht as it may, the only way it could work is if it is a stand alone movie for jack Sparrow. Leave out out Will Turner. The whole Fountain of youth concept is great.
Thinking of past rumors…
Maybe Jack Sparrow will be looking for his ‘long lost brother’ (also named ‘Jack’ who would be the ‘Jack’ from the book) and played by Russell Brand.
Hmmmmm… TWO Jacks? Could poss work. “Simple. Easy to Remember.” Might even be fun! ‘Our’ Jack’s story would/could ‘surround’ his brother’s story while keeping the Tim Powers story ‘whole’.
Any commments?
Gotta Fly! Trying out the new Armor! ~ Stark
Now that we all know what pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides’s full title is, i am now beginning to wonder when it is that we’ll be seeing a full theatrical release date for pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides!, any ideas from anyone here, who think they might know what its full theatrical release date is or might be???. My guess is that it’ll either be on may 20th, 2011 friday, or may 25th, 2011 wednesday, or may 27th, 2011 friday, which of three dates looks like the most likely release date for pirates of the caribbean” on stranger tides???.
Sean: It’s not that important, is it? I mean, like right now?:P
It’s a long time until 2011..
I don’t think you need to write it on your calender just yet..