Pirates of the Caribbean Stars Set Conditions for Sequel Return

Actors Geoffrey Rush and Orlando Bloom have publicly outlined conditions for returning to a potential sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film, as the long-dormant franchise remains in early development. Rush, who portrayed Captain Hector Barbossa in all five previous films, said he would consider reprising the role if the script is not "too cheesy" and offers a meaningful story. Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Rush noted that Barbossa sacrificed himself to save his daughter in the 2017 film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. He said he does not want to return simply for "another payday" but would be open to a storyline where Barbossa comes back as a ghost to haunt Captain Jack Sparrow, referencing Shakespeare's Hamlet. "I think there's been a big enough break," Rush said. "I sacrificed myself for my daughter. I don't want it to be too cheesy and too easy that I come back and go, 'Give me another payday.' I respect the scale of the opera that's almost been created in that 20-year period." Orlando Bloom, who played Will Turner in four of the first five films, also shared his thoughts.