Disney Needs To Figure Out What To Do With Its Sleeping $4.5Bn Franchise Sooner Rather Than Later

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Disney has been facing challenges with its movies recently – some are huge successes, while others fall flat. Several of their established franchises are struggling, existing in a sort of uncertain state – not quite thriving, but not completely abandoned either. Executives are trying to determine if these franchises are worth reviving. It’s particularly concerning to see what’s happening with what was once Disney’s most popular adventure brand. Considering it generated $4.5 billion in revenue, it’s surprising that Disney hasn’t figured out a clear path forward. Once a cornerstone of the studio, it now feels like a significant missed opportunity.

The current issue with the Pirates of the Caribbean series isn’t that people have stopped caring—it’s that the films lack a clear vision. It’s easy to forget that the franchise began as a risky idea: adapting a theme park attraction into a grand pirate adventure. Surprisingly, it worked, and the movies essentially created a new style of action-fantasy in the 2000s. The first film, The Curse of the Black Pearl, perfectly blended comedy, excitement, and captivating characters, instantly winning over audiences and launching Johnny Depp into icon status. However, after twenty years, what was once innovative and surprising now feels cautious. Disney seems to have lost its touch, and it’s unclear why the series has been stalled for so long.

The lawsuit between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard created a public relations nightmare for Depp and the studio, effectively halting any progress on future Pirates of the Caribbean films. However, with nearly four years passed and Disney confirming a new movie is in the works, it’s surprising that so few details have been released.

It’s been quiet for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise since the 2017 release of Dead Men Tell No Tales, with no solid plans for a new movie emerging. While Margot Robbie was once attached to a project, Disney seems hesitant to commit to a specific direction. This is happening while other franchises, like Tron, are also struggling to revive themselves, highlighting Disney’s need for a successful film outside of the Marvel and Star Wars universes.

It’s really disappointing to see the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise struggling, because it already had all the ingredients for success: a memorable setting, beloved characters, and a unique look. Even when the sequels weren’t great, they still made a lot of money, showing that audiences weren’t completely turned off. The problems weren’t with the audience, but with choices made behind the scenes – weak storylines, unfocused writing, and an over-dependence on Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow. While relying on Sparrow wasn’t a bad strategy – a movie without him is a big gamble, and Disney understands that – the character eventually became predictable, and that’s when the series lost some of its appeal. However, that doesn’t mean fans have given up on the Pirates universe; they simply want a better, more creative direction.

Okay, so here’s the real problem with getting another Pirates of the Caribbean movie made. Disney’s got everything they need – the cash, the special effects wizards, great actors – but they’re totally stuck in a loop. They’re scared of changing things up too much and alienating fans, but equally scared of just doing the same old thing. It’s created this total standstill. No one wants to take the risk and be the person who ‘ruins’ the franchise. Honestly, though, just leaving it on the shelf forever is the worst thing they could do. People will lose interest, the cast will move on, and bringing it back to life will only get harder and more expensive with each passing year.

Disney Is Losing Time (and Money) by Keeping Pirates of the Caribbean on Standby

As a huge fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, I’m still in the dark about whether Johnny Depp will ever return as Jack Sparrow. I heard they’re working on two different scripts, but honestly, after everything that happened and how Disney handled it all, I wonder if he wants to come back. Jerry Bruckheimer seems hopeful, which is good to hear! But time is definitely running out. Disney needs to make a decision soon, or I’m worried fans will lose interest – and right now, there’s still a dedicated audience out there, but they’re starting to get impatient.

The answer is straightforward, but it takes courage: choose a path and commit to it. The upcoming film is a fresh start, and it could succeed. While stars like Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom may not return (though Bloom is open to the idea), a new cast could recapture the magic of the original. The last installment, Dead Men Tell No Tales, wasn’t great, but that wasn’t due to the new characters. The key is to recreate the rebellious spirit and humor that made the first film a hit. The story can be retold in a new way, and the world it’s set in could be expanded. The original concept is solid enough to support that. Ignoring the problem and hoping it resolves itself, however, won’t work.

Disney is also missing chances to expand beyond movies. The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, for example, could do well as a TV series or animated show – something to keep fans engaged while they wait for a new film. A brand this popular shouldn’t be allowed to lose momentum. Disney has plenty of options to keep it fresh, but seems hesitant to try new things. It’s surprising, because they clearly recognize how valuable the Pirates brand is. With so many reboots and struggling franchises these days, Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the few original ideas Disney developed—outside of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm—that really succeeded. It demonstrates that Disney is still capable of building a major franchise on its own.

Disney is facing a real challenge. Recent attempts to revive old franchises haven’t been successful, and audiences are increasingly wary of big-budget movies that rely too heavily on nostalgia. While Pirates of the Caribbean could be successful again, it needs a swift, clear plan. A great script, compelling new characters, and a return to the fun, adventurous spirit of the original films could win back viewers. There’s still some interest in the series, but it’s fading. Ultimately, Disney needs to take action, because the future of the franchise – and Disney’s ability to create exciting new stories instead of just revisiting old ones – is on the line.

Allowing something this valuable to remain unused is like abandoning a treasure. It’s time to put it to work.

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2025-10-31 22:12