PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 5 Set for 2015 Release; Johnny Depp to Return

Today, Disney announced that they have officially begun pre-production on PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 5 - and given the film a theatrical release date: July 10, 2015.

In addition, Johnny Depp is set to return to the franchise as Captain Jack Sparrow. As of now, no other casting has been announced.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 5 will be produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. As BWW Movies World previously reported, Jeff Nathanson is writing the screenplay.

THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN series has had immense financial success both domestically and globally. The last film in franchise, 2011's ON STRANGER TIDES, took in over $1 billion internationally.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES opened in theaters on May 20, 2011. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, this new episode from the legendary saga captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise-this time in Disney Digital 3D.

Johnny Depp returned to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise. When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), 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 fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.