The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been adrift in Hollywood's development waters for years, with fans eagerly awaiting news of a sixth installment. While Disney has kept details under wraps, one star from the most recent film has finally spoken out about his potential involvement. Brenton Thwaites, who portrayed Henry Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, made it clear during a panel at Calgary Expo that he's more than ready to rejoin the crew—even if it means taking a job behind the scenes.
Speaking with Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Thwaites didn't pretend to have insider knowledge about the long-discussed sequel, but his enthusiasm was undeniable. "Yeah, I hope I'm in it. I don't think I will be, but I'll work as a grip. I'll be behind the camera, holding a boom if I could," he said with a laugh. The actor's willingness to return in any capacity speaks volumes about his affection for the franchise, which has been a cornerstone of Disney's live-action lineup for over two decades.
A Fresh Perspective on the Franchise's Emotional Core
Thwaites also shared a personal reflection on Dead Men Tell No Tales, revealing that watching the film with his children gave him a new appreciation for its emotional depth. "What I really loved—I watched the film, not for the first time, with my kids—and the storyline really almost made me cry was Geoffrey Rush's, really," he admitted. He highlighted the surprising emotional payoff involving Barbossa's daughter, Carina, played by Kaya Scodelario. "As he's falling to his death, she realizes it. It's surprisingly really emotional." This parent-child theme, Thwaites suggested, could be a rich vein for the franchise to explore further in a sixth movie.
For more on the franchise's future, check out our Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Jerry Bruckheimer, Margot Robbie, and Craig Mazin Updates.
Balancing Old and New Faces
Dead Men Tell No Tales was notable for bridging the original trilogy's legacy characters with a younger generation. Henry Turner is the son of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), while Carina Smyth is revealed to be Barbossa's daughter. The film also brought back Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa, while introducing Javier Bardem as the villainous Captain Salazar. Thwaites believes this mix of familiar and fresh talent is key to the franchise's enduring appeal.
"Our actors always had a mix of new, younger actors and older actors. There's always been that," he noted. "The pirate team kind of changes with different pirates, but yeah, I think it's great that they continue that model, right? They have some recognizable faces from all those actors from the first film, and also some new, younger faces. So it could be a great opportunity to find another actor we're particularly excited about. But selfishly, yes."
This approach mirrors other successful revivals, like Joey Quinn's Return in 'Dexter: Resurrection' Season 2 Sets Up a Dark Reckoning, where blending old and new characters keeps the story fresh.
What's Next for the High Seas?
While Thwaites couldn't offer any concrete details about the plot of Pirates of the Caribbean 6, he speculated that the emotional parent-child dynamic could be a focus. "I think they'll probably follow more down that road, but I have no idea," he said. For now, fans will have to wait for official announcements from Disney, but Thwaites' willingness to return—even as a grip—is a promising sign that the franchise's spirit remains alive and well.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Pirates of the Caribbean and other entertainment news.
