Keith Richards won’t be the only rock god who also rocked the seven seas in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series. Where the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist joined the franchise back in 2007 with the wayward At World’s End, The Beatles’ frontman Paul McCartney will now also rock the boat in the upcoming fifth installment, Dead Men Tell No Tales, which is set to hit theaters on May 26, 2017.
Deadline reports on the newest casting update. What role McCarthy plays in the film is left unanswered at the moment, but he joins the roaster alongside returning stars Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush, as well as fellow series newcomers Kaya Scodelario (The Maze Runner franchise), Brandon Thwaites (Gods of Egypt) and Javier Bardem.
There’s no word yet on whether or not Richards’ is set to return for this new film, as he did make a brief appearance in the previous chapter, 2011’s On Stranger Tides. Though, if he doesn’t, that’s likely because Disney is cautionary about making sure nobody’s head explodes at the mere sight of two of the biggest music gods ever appearing together on-screen for the very first time. That’s very considerate of them, actually.
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McCartney joins the production for an “extra scene,” reports say, which could very well be the end credits segment for all we know. If that’s the case and I spoiled it, I give a profound and sincere “oops!” In any case, this marks McCartney’s first big-screen acting role since 1987’s Eat the Rich, when he played the highly-memorable “Banquet Guest.” He’s also made some recent appearances on 30 Rock and BoJack Horseman as himself.
While the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have treaded on thin waters of late, insiders are reportedly “bullish” about this fifth film, directed by Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning (Kon-Tiki), saying it likens the spirit of the first film. You know, the fun one. So that’s encouraging. Whether or not the series lives another day or walks the plank will be put to the test next year, however. Maybe, at the very least, this new film will let McCartney go to a couple of parties, for once.
