'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' is currently in production and filming in Australia. Franchise newcomer Javier Bardem is confirmed as the upcoming film's main antagonist after being spotted in full-on theatrical facial make-up on Hamilton Island during filming. As the film's expenses continue to pile up, it may become the most expensive in history.
According to the Daily Mail, Bardem was spotted with cast and crew on Hamilton Island in Australia last July 18 with a face full of makeup seemingly made for CGI special effects. He was seen on a boat casually chatting with some companions, his face covered in blue paint with a cracked quality to it.
Along his hairline were what seemingly looked like green screen tracking dots for CGI post-processing. Another actor in Captain Jack Sparrow costume was also seen on the boat but it was not confirmed if it was Johnny Depp or a body double. Depp was reported to have headed to the same island earlier for filming with co-actor and new cast member Kaya Scodelario.
Greek mythology may come into play for the next movie. Depp's Jack Sparrow will be on another adventure to seek out the mythical trident of Poseidon in hopes of defeating the new villain out to kill him. Bardem's character, Captain Salazar, seeks revenge for his brother's murder for which Sparrow is apparently responsible for. It seems the movie may employ some hefty use of CGI and other expensive special effects.
Daiily Telegraph reports that the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tailes has already gone over-budget - $70 million beyond their initial budget of $250 million allegedly due to additional production costs and to cover Depp's severe hand injury back in March. It was reported that the film costs already total to about $320 million.
In an earlier report by Forbes, the franchise's fourth film was already declared the most expensive film in history with an astounding $410 million in costs. Business Insider's further research revealed that the second film came in next with a $341 million budget, followed by 1963's Cleopatra with an adjusted budget of $339 million. With around 14 more weeks left to shoot on the Gold Coast, it is possible that production costs for the fifth movie may continue to rise.
'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' is the fifth installment in the Walt Disney Company franchise set to be released on July 7, 2017. It is directed by Joachim Ronning with Espen Sandberg and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The action-adventure pirate film series is based on a Disney Theme Park ride with the first release from as far back as 2003. In total, the film series has grossed $3.7 billion worldwide.
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