While news of Johnny Depp’s involvement with Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides has kept everybody thinking about the franchise, the film world seems to have forgotten about Geoffrey Rush. But here’s some good news – he’ll be back to reprise his role as the wickedly devious and entertaining Captain Barbossa.
Variety reports that Rush is officially back on board the Pirates franchise for another voyage. He’s only one of a few returning characters, aside from Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley opted out of the successful series before official talks for a fourth film even began.
The film’s success relies upon Jack Sparrow, but without Barbossa, his fiercest competitor, Pirates 4 will be just another Pirates 2, which was arguably the weakest film in the trilogy.
Rush will join a cast already comprised of Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane, and Stephen Graham. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is expected to start shooting this month.
Pirates 4 is set to be released May 20, 2011.
Are you happy to see Geoffrey Rush reprise his role as Captain Barbossa?