FROM MTV.COM: When "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" was announced for a summer 2011 release, fans went wild. Then the project hit rough waters following the departure of studio chief Dick Cook, a big supporter of "Pirates" star Johnny Depp. The Jack Sparrow actor subsequently expressed hesitation about continuing with the series.

Still, the project sails forward. Depp's not a lock until he signs off on the script, which he hasn't yet seen, but Captain Barbossa actor Geoffrey Rush told MTV in late September that he's been told to keep his schedule open for cameras to roll next spring.

Continue reading 'Pirates 4' Director Rob Marshall 'Excited' To Work With Johnny Depp

That headline ain't kidding. This morning's Daily TwitPic isn't the sharpest image you'll ever see. It may well be one of the blurriest. But it's also Danny DeVito celebrating his birthday -- yes, that's a candle-covered cake -- with Johnny Depp and Patti Smith.

DeVito and Depp at least were both in New York City this week for the exhibition opening of Tim Burton's career retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. The trio are joined at their table by what is identified as "Troll Foot." If you look carefully, to the left of the cake, you can see it: a bare foot. If you follow DeVito then you know that he's got a weird fascination with tweeting images of his "Troll Foot." See for yourself after the jump. Read more...

FROM MTV.COM: The saga of Johnny Depp and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise has lately hit choppy waters.

After Disney studio chief Dick Cook — Depp's close creative partner — abruptly left the company, the actor said there'd been "a fissure, a crack" in his enthusiasm for the fourth "Pirates" film. On top of that, a new director, Rob Marshall, has come on-board to helm the film after three-time "Pirates" director Gore Verbinski set sail for other projects.

All of these developments cast doubt on the future of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," as the picture will be titled. MTV News had a chance to chat with Depp, People magazine's newly anointed "Sexiest Man Alive," on Tuesday night at the Museum of Modern Art's Tim Burton retrospective in New York, and the star revealed several key points. He hasn't seen a script. He's unsure of what the story line will be. And while he's keen to step into the boots of pirate Jack Sparrow once again, he stopped well short of making a 100 percent commitment to return.

Continue reading Johnny Depp Says He'd 'Love To' Return To 'Pirates Of The Caribbean'

"The Tourist" has had quite a ride these past few months. Further back than that even. First it was a possible "Valkyrie" follow-up for Tom Cruise. Then Charlize Theron started negotiating to star alongside Cruise. Following a year of silence on the project, the news broke last month that Angelina Jolie was now in talks to replace Theron. And somewhere in there, "Terminator Salvation" star Sam Worthington stepped in to replace Cruise.

That's not even mentioning the director changes. Bharat Nalluri was originally set to direct, way back when Cruise was still on the project. He fell off somewhere in the past year, and "The Lives of Others" director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck only recently stepped in to possibly replace him. It turns out that that's not happening either. Now it seems that "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" director Alfonso Cuaron may be moving in to helm, and that he'll be joined by Johnny Depp, who will step into the role once occupied by Cruise, then Worthington. Whew. Read more...

Late last month, "On Stranger Tides" author Tim Powers confirmed that Disney does indeed plan to use elements of his book for the forthcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." He didn't have much more to say about it at the time, but it was the confirmation fans had been speculating about since Disney dropped the bombshell at their D23 Expo that a fourth "Pirates" movie was incoming.

Now, Powers is apparently free -- or at least more free -- to discuss Disney's ownership of the rights to his book, published in 1988. "About a week ago my agent wrote and said, 'You're now able to say that in fact Disney did option the book,'" Powers told the Los Angeles Times in an interview. "That happened a while ago, it'll be three years in April." Three years means that Disney picked up the rights just as "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" was sailing into theaters. Read more...

Following the recent departure of Disney studio chief Dick Cook, Johnny Depp admitted to being less enthusiastic about returning to the role of Captain Jack Sparrow for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" ("Pirates" part 4, for those who lost count). And the fans in turn admitted that they'd give up on the franchise without him in it.

That apparently isn't stopping Disney though. According to a tip received by Cinema Blend, the studio is preparing to replace Depp if/when he decides to abandon ship. This may not happen with "On Stranger Tides," as Disney is likely prepared to offer him as much money as it takes to keep him aboard. The actor, who is said to be aware the last two movies "sucked," will definitely not be sticking around for the fifth and sixth installments if the tipster is to be believed. Read more...

Before news broke that Johnny Depp is considerably less psyched to step back into Jack Sparrow's boots for a fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" following the exodus of Disney studio chief Dick Cook, MTV News had a chance to chat with franchise co-star Geoffrey Rush about the developing project.

The Australian actor said he's definitely set to reprise his role as nefarious Captain Barbossa, and has been told to keep his schedule open for a possible start to filming next spring. Read more...

A long time ago, we all dreaded Disney's decision to turn its "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme park attraction into a movie. Then Johnny Depp came aboard, and he gave us one of the most iconic film characters of the past decade. Since then, its been harder to be cynical of such adaptations.

Apparently we have Disney studio chief Dick Cook to partially thank for how great the "Pirates" franchise -- or at least the first film -- is. Now that Cook has resigned from the company (Disney denies he was fired), the series could be in jeopardy. Or, at least Depp's involvement with the films may be. Read more...

Let's just let the picture do the 1,000 words of talking, shall we?

The news comes out of Disney's currently-underway D23 Expo. Apparently, "Pirates" star Johnny Depp came riding into the stadium on a pirate ship to announce the title.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Summer 2011. Get pumped kids.

Tonight, the Toronto International Film Festival kicks off with the world premiere screening of "Creation," directed by Jon Amiel. The movie stars real-life husband and wife Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly as Charles Darwin and Emma Darwin, respectively. It is an adaptation of the Darwin bio "Annie's Box" by Randal Keynes.

Of course, "Creation" just kicks things off. There's a whole weekend of indie madness to immerse yourself in. Sure, those of us who aren't fortunate enough to be in Toronto are going to have to wait. But there are some good flicks coming out of the fest, stuff that you're sure to see hit theaters in some form in the coming months. Here are a few of the highlights we have to look forward to... Read more...