Pirates: Bruckheimer Style 12 Jun, 2002 / Comments: 5
There have been many reports in the past few months that Disney is in the process of turning its favorite theme park rides into feature length films. This was confirmed when production The Country Bears began, which is based on a ride of the same name. Word is that there's also a Haunted Mansion movie in the planning stages.
What does this have to do with LucasArts? Nothing directly, but Pirates of the Caribbean is said to be heading to the big screen as well. In case you don't know, this particular theme park ride was the major inspiration for Ron Gilbert to create The Secret of Monkey Island. <:MORENEWS:>
According to this article from Movies.com, Jerry Bruckheimer of Pearl Harbor and Con Air fame (shudder) will produce this picture that may star Johnny Depp. The plot is said to "involve a daring rescue from a crew of pirates and the reversal of a terrible curse."
Similarly, this article from Upcomingmovies.com reports that the curse mentioned may lead to the movie taking place in modern times with the pirates somehow immortal or stuck in time. In March, Variety reported that the Shrek screenwriters were brought in to give the movie a "more supernatural spin."
The release date is scheduled around the summer of 2003, but who knows what will change in between now in then. It's been a good while since we've had a old fashion pirate movie, which used to be a staple of the industry. However, it will be interesting to see how this movie will resemble Monkey Island in terms of curses, ghost pirates, and the like. Thanks to Scurvyliver for the website links!
By the way, don't confuse this movie with Treasure Planet, an upcoming Disney sci-fi animated film based on Treasure Island. They are two different projects.