Last Of Us Writer's Pirates Of The Caribbean Pitch Was "Too Weird" But Disney Bought It

Craig Mazin, known for his work on HBO's Chernobyl and The Last of Us, is also writing a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie for Disney. Speaking to The Los Angeles Times, Mazin discussed the film at a high level, saying he's surprised Disney bought his pitch for such a "weird" movie idea.

"We pitched it and thought there's no way they're buying it, it's too weird. And they did!" Mazin said. "And then he wrote a fantastic script and the strike happened and everyone's waiting around."

Mazin wrote the script alongside Ted Elliott, who co-wrote the first four Pirates films. It will be the first new entry in the series since 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Another Pirates movie has been rumored as well, this being a reboot starring Margot Robbie and written by Christina Hodson (Birds of Prey). Robbie said this movie, which would have a "female-led" approach, is not moving ahead at Disney. However, series producer Jerry Bruckheimer the movie is not totally dead but instead it could be released after the Mazin and Elliott film.

The original Pirates movies featured Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, but whether or not the controversial Depp returns for any new Pirates films is unknown. The original Pirates movies together grossed more than $4 billion worldwide.

Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard recently settled a high-profile court case, with Depp found to have defamed Heard and was ordered to pay $2 million. Heard was ordered to pay $10 million. Addressing Depp's future in the Pirates series, Bruckheimer told The Independent that the actor's return is not yet decided.

As for The Last of Us, Season 2 has been mapped out but production might be delayed due to the ongoing actor and writer strikes in Hollywood.