‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ Gets ‘Maleficent’ Actor Brenton Thwaites and ‘Maze Runner’ Actress Kaya Scodelario on Board; Filming Starts in Two Weeks Says Producer Jerry Bruckhei

Walt Disney Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales or simply Pirates of the Caribbean 5, the next installment in the fantasy adventure film franchise series inspired by a Walt Disney theme park ride, opens in theaters on July 7, 2017. Originally set for a July 2015 showing, the release date had to be moved back to accommodate script rewrites. The upcoming movie will be directed by Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg based on a screenplay by Jeff Nathanson along with Stuart Beatie, Ted Elliot, Terry Rosio and Jay Wolpert. Franchise star Johnny Depp was also asked by Disney and executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer to collaborate with Nathanson on the script development.

Academy Award-winning actor Javier Bardem is confirmed to play the central antagonist in Disney's next Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Rumors has it that his role will be that of a ghost named Captain Brand who is on a revenge mission against Jack Sparrow whom he blames for the death of his brother. Bardem's real-life wife, Penelope Cruz, starred in the last Pirates of the Caribbean film (On Stranger Tides) as Angelica, Jack's former love interest whom he left stranded on an island.

Brenton Thwaites who is best remembered for his role as Prince Phillip in last year's box office hit Maleficent will also be on board Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The 24-year-old Australian actor is set to portray Henry, a British soldier.

English actress Kaya Scodelario, 22, is also confirmed to play the female lead in the film. Producer Bruckheimer made the announcement with a tweeted message saying "Pleased to announce that we cast Kaya Scodelario for the 5th Pirates of the Caribbean. Talented young actor from Skins & The Maze Runner."

Aside from Depp, the only other confirmed returning member of the Pirates of the Caribbean 4 cast is Geoffrey Rush who will continue to reprise his role as Captain Barbossain Dead Men Tell No Tales. However, it is widely rumored that Orlando Bloom will also be back to reprise his role as Will Turner, the Flying Dutchman's immortal captain. Other actors rumored to join the Pirates of the Caribbean 5 cast include Keira Knightly, Christoph Waltz, Mackenzie Crook, Lee Arenberg, Martin Klebba, Jack Davenport, Mackenzie Crook, Martin Klebba, Lee Arenberg, and Keith Richards. The film's casting is expected to be finalized within the next few weeks.

Filming is scheduled to begin soon in Queensland, Australia, where a set for project has been built at the Gold Coast Hinterland. A tweet dated January 30 from Bruckheimer reads: "Two weeks until we start shooting Pirates 5. Joachim Rønning just posted a great pic from the set in Australia."