'Pirates 4' Title & Release Date

A ton of news is pouring out of the Disney Fan Expo called D23 today and one big slab of news is that Disney has revealed the official title and logo (pictured above) to the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie. The film will be called "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and is scheduled to sail into cinemas Summer 2011. No news was given on plot details, but it just so happens that Cinematical writer Erik Davis came across an interesting lead that just may reveal what Disney intends for the 'Pirates' franchise in the fourth adventure. Read all the details below...


Amazon reveals a novel written by Tim Powers called On Stranger Tides that has a few similarities with the Disney 'Pirates' franchise. First and foremost the lead character's name is Jack. Another big match is the fact that the plot revolves around the Fountain of Youth. If you remember the end of the last 'Pirates' film, Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa were both on the hunt for the mysterious "Fountain". The synopsis reads: World Fantasy Award–winner Powers (Three Days to Never) demonstrates a precise control of complex narratives in this reprint of his rollicking and enchanting 1987 novel. Puppeteer John Chandagnac, bound for Jamaica to recover stolen money from his uncle, becomes Jack Shandy after pirates attack his ship and force him to join their crew. Shandy's struggle to accept his new life grounds the story for readers, even as Blackbeard and vodun magicians whisk everyone away to dreamlike lands where the Fountain of Youth itself awaits. The chaotic sea battles sing, though at times key events happen so quickly that they get lost in the shuffle as Jack tries to comprehend where he's going and what's at stake. This dark fantasy tale will appeal not just to pirate fans but also to anyone who appreciates Powers's talent for blending the most unlikely elements into a brilliantly cohesive whole.

Clearly their would have to be some changes made to Powers novel in order to make it a 'Pirates' film, but this may be the niche that Disney wanted in order to scale back the fourth film has they had previously mentioned. Has Disney purchased the rights to Power's novel? Will this be the general idea for "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"? Or are these two concepts just very closely aligned? More news as it develops on the next 'Pirates' flick...

UPDATED: Latino Review spoke with Tim Powers himself about the strangely familar titles and Powers told the news outlet, "...I can tell you it is not a coincidence." Powers statement all but confirms what most of us had speculated, that "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" will be based off Tim Powers novel On Stranger Tides.

What say you? Does On Stranger Tides sound like a sequel to Pirates you want to see? Strikeback...