Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Announced

Congratulations, Disney, I'm a Pirates fan again.

All it took was Johnny Depp sailing onstage on a pirate ship at Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim to announce the new Pirates of the Caribbean film, subtitled On Stranger Tides and slated for a summer 2011 release. Good thing I'm a sucker for early speculation, because all we know about the film is that it will carry the previously-mentioned subtitle, and that Johnny Depp will return as Captain Jack Sparrow. It has also been reported that Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley will not return for the fourth film.

A fascinating note, however: Slashfilm reports that a 1987 Tim Powers pirate novel already carries the title "On Stranger Tides." I wrote it off as a peculiar coincidence at first glance, but here's the Publishers Weekly review from Amazon.com's page for "On Stranger Tides:"

"World Fantasy Award–winner Powers (Three Days to Never) demonstrates a precise control of complex narratives in this reprint of his rollicking and enchanting 1987 novel. 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. This dark fantasy tale will appeal not just to pirate fans but also to anyone who appreciates Powers's talent for blending the most unlikely elements into a brilliantly cohesive whole."

Did any Pirates fans catch the Fountain of Youth reference in there? Those who saw At World's End will remember the not-so-subtle hint at the end that told us Jack Sparrow's next adventure would deal with the Fountain. The synopsis becomes even more interesting when one considers what we've already heard that William and Elizabeth Turner may not return. Will the characters from Powers' novel be woven in with Sparrow and whoever else joins him in this new movie? Will Blackbeard be conveniently replaced with Barbossa? Who knows, but it could be a very interesting plot decision, one that I would fully support. I haven't read any of Powers' work, but the book has very good reviews on Amazon, and a strong story from a well-reviewed book certainly shouldn't hurt the series, which became overly convoluted and, well, just plain bad in its second and third films.

Let's hope Disney can regain some of its former Black Pearl glory with On Stranger Tides. Keep the film focused on Sparrow and give us a good, simple plot to follow. That's the recipe for success, now Disney just needs to follow it.

Read the AP report at NYTimes.com here.