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Disney films have always had a powerful pull over pop culture. However, few are as ubiquitous as Pirates of the Caribbean. The beloved series held the world in a nautical chokehold throughout the 2000s, and its original trilogy has since expanded to include two additional films. However, these newer films are notably different than the original entries. Of course, many of these variations are explainable by time and distance. The fourth film, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, debuted three years after the trilogy’s conclusion. The fifth, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, followed a six-year gap.
Both pop culture and the film’s stars had largely moved on since the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. But one glaring difference caught audiences completely off guard. Neither the beloved Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) nor the dashing Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) was present in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Both of these characters were pivotal parts of the original series, and fans keenly felt their absence. So, why didn’t they return to reprise their beloved roles?
Updated on June 29, 2025, by Arthur Goyaz: Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow is the face of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley also play two of the most beloved characters in the movie series. Pirates of the Caribbean had to move on without them, but with the prospects of new installments in the works, there’s a chance they might return. This article was updated to discuss the latest news about Bloom and Knightley’s involvement with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner Starred in the First Three Pirates of the Caribbean Films
The Two Characters Meet a Happy Ending
For anyone who’s forgotten about the series in the nearly decade-long gap since its last film, both Knightley and Bloom were part of the premiere lineup. Their presence spanned from The Curse of the Black Pearl through At World’s End. In real-world terms, the duo played the same roles for around four years, from 2003 to 2007.Kiera Knightley’s role cemented her as a pop culture icon and femme fatale. Within canon, she is the daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann (Jonathan Pryce). Despite her aristocratic status and upbringing, she quickly sheds her somewhat dated “damsel in distress” tropes. By the second film, she’s breaking out of prison and saving Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from certain death. Her final appearance in Pirates of the Caribbean At World’s End is similarly fierce.
Orlando Bloom, meanwhile, portrayed Swann’s romantic interest, the dashing Will Turner. Unlike Swann, Turner is a rough-and-tumble blacksmith’s apprentice. However, upon discovering his father’s seafaring history, he ultimately joins Sparrow’s crew. The two share a rocky relationship across the trilogy, though they always end up reconciling.
Of course, by the end of the original trilogy, both Bloom and Knightley’s characters have earned a happy ending. The pair have seemingly forsaken the high seas and settled down with their son, Henry. The decidedly happy ending is an admittedly neat conclusion to the pair’s character arcs, and it fits well into the Disney canon of “happily ever after” conclusions.
Why Did Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley Leave the Franchise?
They Wanted to Move On to Different Projects
It should be noted that it’s been over two decades since Curse of the Black Pearl hit theaters. The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is a beloved part of pop culture, but it’s also far from new. Its beloved characters — and, more importantly, the actors portraying them — have aged. As Disney continues its seemingly endless crusade to reboot everything, its nautical adventure series seems poised for a resurgence. So, in that sense, it’s almost understandable for the actors to be hesitant about a return. small Related
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Regarding a potential reappearance in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Knightley noted that she felt that “three is enough.” She had fulfilled her obligation to the series, and she was justifiably tired of playing the same role. Likewise, Bloom stated in a 2010 interview that he “wanted to do different things.” Nonetheless, there are official (and unofficial) reasons for their departures.
As for Knightley, the actress officially cited scheduling conflicts for her absence in On Stranger Tides. She was poised to use the same reasoning for her continued disappearance in Dead Men Tell No Tales, though she ultimately had a tiny cameo. Bloom also joined his former co-star to add to that little nostalgia punch in the fifth entry.
For Bloom, that reasoning is enough. However, Knightley’s relationship with the series is more complicated. The talented actress often fought to secure her most beloved roles. Yet, at the same time, her appearances led to her rise as a spiritual pin-up girl in 2000s pop consciousness. In later interviews, Knightley has spoken about constant abuse and harassment from fans of Pirates of the Caribbean, and this treatment surely hasn’t softened her feelings towards the series.
Will Orlando Bloom or Kiera Knightley Return to the Franchise?
Details About the Upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean Movies Are Scarce
It’s unknown if or when Bloom and Knightley will return in future Pirates of the Caribbean installments. At this point, not even Captain Jack Sparrow — that is to say, Johnny Depp — will be returning. Currently, it seems Disney’s reboot mania is in full gear, and the next Pirates of the Caribbean film will be an all-out remake. If Knightley’s experiences and reluctance to rejoin Dead Men Tell No Tales isn’t enough of an indicator, her words are a sign of the future. She has explicitly noted that she will not return, as she wants to focus on her family.
Bloom, however, has more positive feelings towards the series. He fully supports Bruckheimer’s upcoming reboot. While he has not outright said he will reprise his role, he has coyly stated that fans should “never say never.” That said, his currently vague statements are far from forthright. However, if Will Turner is recast, it certainly seems that the new star received Bloom’s blessing.
Notably, there also seemed to be a second Pirates of the Caribbean rework in progress. Neither is exactly “unofficial”; both are sanctioned by Disney. This project was known for having Barbie’s Margot Robbie at the helm. Unfortunately, it seems that Bruckheimer’s reboot is getting the spotlight; Robbie’s version has yet to produce many updates since 2022. Still, there seems to be a glimmer of hope that the House of Mouse will eventually lift this intriguing concept from development hell.
Orlando Bloom Recently Teased a Return to the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise
Other Actors Seem to Be Open to Reprise Their Iconic Roles
The prospects of two upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean movies left fans confused, but franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer has recently shed new light on the project. In an interview with ScreenRant, Bruckheimer revealed that a script is still being written, «Hopefully we’ll get it right — and then we’ll make it. We really want to make it, that’s for sure.» He added that it will be a new take on the story, but there will be returning actors from the previous movies. «I’m not going to tell you which ones — you’ll have to guess.»
Bruckheimer’s comments are particularly exciting following Orlando Bloom’s tease of Will Turner’s potential return to the franchise on the talk show This Morning. Bloom said that there have been talks about bringing Pirates of the Caribbean veterans like Johnny Depp and himself, and Knightley’s name is also in the conversation:
I, personally, think it would be great to get the band back together. That would be great. But there are always different ideas, so we’ll see where it lands.
In January 2025, Bloom had already emphasized his gratitude for the franchise to Entertainment Weekly, saying: «I’m happy that I got to be a part of something that feels like it’s standing the test of time, which is cool.» However, fans may wonder how Will Turner would fit into the story without Swann. Bloom has expressed interest in returning to Pirates of the Caribbean, but Knightley didn’t seem very enthusiastic about it in her recent interviews. The actress recently spoke to Vanity Fair about the franchise, discussing the backlash she experienced. For now, fans can only hope that the new Pirates of the Caribbean will find a new balance between old and new characters.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is an American fantasy supernatural swashbuckler film series based on Walt Disney's theme park attraction of the same name.
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