Pamela McClintock of THR:
Disney relaunches one of its key franchises this weekend as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides sets sail around the globe.
Pirates has a new director, Rob Marshall, and is the first in the series to be released in 3D, upping its earning potential.
But tracking suggests that the Johnny Depp tentpole may not be able to match the dazzling debut of the third Pirates film, which opened to $114.7 million exactly four years ago. That's likely due to the soft marketplace, as well as the time lapse between the films.
On Stranger Tides is projected to gross between $90 million and $100 million in its domestic bow. That would still make it the top opening of 2011, although The Hangover Part II could set a new benchmark next weekend, thanks to the Memorial Day holiday.
The last Pirates installment, At World’s End, cumed $309.4 million domestically and a whopping $654 million internationally. On Stranger Tides is expected to follow suit and do better overseas, considering the ravenous appetite both for the franchise and 3D fare. The film opens in several foreign markets this weekend as well.
That's one reason why Disney took On Stranger Tides to the Cannes Film Festival, where it played out of competition and drew rousing crowds eager to see Depp and Penelope Cruz walk the world's most famous red carpet.
Depp, who remains a huge star around the globe and is the heart and soul of the franchise, returns as the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow. Geoffrey Rush also returns, while Cruz and Ian McShane appear for the first time.
Disney hopes to introduce a new generation of kids to one of the most successful franchises in Hollywood history, and is planning two more installments...
'Pirates of the Caribbean' sets sail for booty
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