Pirates of the Caribbean is set to get its very own reboot in the near future, although it is unclear whether the franchise will start from scratch or continue on in the same universe. There have even been rumors that Captain Jack himself could be recast for a new set of movies, while other rumors claim that a new captain will lead the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise forward.
While the films sometimes didn't make sense or felt a little over-stuffed, they on the whole thrilled audiences and became a massive global franchise. There would certainly be some interest in a reboot of this story, but it's safe to say that there's just as many people who believe that perhaps the series should go on an extended hiatus first. Here are five ways to reboot the franchise, and five more reasons why it should be left alone - if even for the time being.
LEAVE IT ALONE: There's An Unfinished Story
The final film of the series - Dead Men Tell No Tales - left a story with a lot of loose plot threads. With the main villain of the franchise, Davy Jones, seemingly returning to haunt Will and Elizabeth, there could have been many more adventures in store.
If the franchise was to be rebooted then this plot would likely be completely forgotten about. There is a chance that Davy Jones could be a threat to a new character, but it would still mean forgetting about the pirate couple.
REBOOT IT: Expand The Universe
If Disney opted for a soft reboot then they could potentially find themselves expanding the universe a little more. Pirates Of The Caribbean is steeped in old world mythology, meaning there's still a lot of uncharted territory for the franchise to explore.
If the original films remain canon, then a new series could expand on various parts of this swashbuckling world, such as the pirate code and mythical creatures like mermaids.
LEAVE IT ALONE: It Already Fizzled Out
While some of the characters did receive fitting endings, the franchise seemed to fizzle out rather than finishing on a triumph. This was in part due to dwindling box office, waning creative ideas and a lack of an audience.
Perhaps it's best to leave the franchise alone for a little while and then return to it to end it properly, but only when audiences are feeling a little more nostalgic for Captain Jack and his crew.
REBOOT IT: It's Set In A Compelling World
The world that has been created already is pretty compelling for old and new fans. There's very few pirate based franchises out there, and it's the kind of concept that will always be popular.
The series could step into new territory and genres, perhaps taking these pirates out of their comfort zones and to other areas of the globe, making it a far more universal franchise than it was before.
LEAVE IT ALONE: Captain Jack Is Key
Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the most famous pirates on TV or film. The reason for this is Johnny Depp's fantastic performance as well as the unique characterization of this particular anti-hero.
That being said, the series could feel a little hollow without its lead front and center. There's a chance audiences could fall in love with a new main pirate, but the franchise's most successful moments and highlights did come with Sparrow at the wheel.
REBOOT IT: Get Some Inspiration From The Ride
There's a lot of inspiration to draw upon from the Disneyland ride, which originally lead to the creation of these films. The Pirates Of The Caribbean ride may already give clues as to where the series could be heading.
With rumors that Karen Gillan could have been cast in the lead role of a reboot, there's talk that a character from the ride called Redd, may be in line for a live action adaptation. This would certainly excited fans of the ride!
LEAVE IT ALONE: It's Too Soon
Maybe it's too soon to dive back into the waters of the Caribbean. For one, the last film in the franchise didn't do swimmingly well and audiences may want a little break from it.
There's been a lot of films in the series that were released in relatively quick succession and there could also be a little fatigue with the franchise therefore. For the pirates to thrive again, they probably need to bide their time.
REBOOT IT: A New Generation Awaits
A new generation of fans might not know about Will Turner and Calypso, but a reboot could introduce them to brand new characters, or perhaps variations on these modern-day pirate classics.
In doing so, it will also bring back attention to the original films and perhaps create a new interest in them. In many ways, the legacy of the series could rest on its continuation and restart.
LEAVE IT ALONE: Focus On Other Franchises
There's so many new ideas to explore that it seems a shame to keep recycling the same concept. While Hollywood does love a tried and true franchise, it can also benefit from taking a risk or embarking on a new direction.
Disney is in a tough position in of its live action content. It's not producing many original films, opting for live action reboots, adaptations of books and sequels. Perhaps Jungle Cruise is a suggestion of a change in the wind.
REBOOT IT: It Could Find New Life In Disney+
As proven by the smash hit The Mandalorian, Disney+ is opening up a whole new world of possibilities for stagnating franchises. One such example of this is that there is space to feature a brand new Pirates Of The Caribbean series in a way that wasn't possible before.
With a Pirates collection already raring to go on the streaming platform, perhaps a soft reboot would be perfect as it already has a home to go to which can still link to the previous films. It's a great opportunity for new characters, epic sword fights and strange mythology.
