Johnny Depp and Captian Jack Sparrow Give Hawaii a Boost

Ahoy, Tonic Pirates of the Caribbean fans! After months of speculation that the beloved franchise may not return for a fourth tumble on the high seas, Johnny Depp has finally signed on to reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. The film's fourth installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will begin shooting this summer on the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Kauai. It will be released in theaters in the summer of 2011.

Rob Marshall will pick up the directorial reins, which will be quite a diversion from his normal fare. His last effort was the musical Nine, and he previously scooped up an Oscar for his work on Chicago. Jerry Bruckheimer will produce, but beyond that information, details about the movie are scarce.

The most interesting part of the sequel's announcement is actually who made it. Since this is a Disney film, one would assume that the Mouse House would be quick to put out a press release the instant they secured Depp. In an act of goodwill, however, Disney took a step back and allowed the governor of Hawaii, which has suffered immensely due to the hits the tourism industry has taken as a result of the economic crisis, to announce the new film.

According to MSNBC, Governor Linda Lingle estimates the production will generate $85 million in spending in Hawaii. Bruckheimer released a statement praising the island state for its "amazing range of both land and seascapes." Pirates will be the third big-budget film shot on the Hawaiian islands this year. The other two films, Hereafter (directed by Clint Eastwood) and The Descendants, both feature major stars: Matt Damon and George Clooney, respectively. This writer, for one, thinks Hawaii should start planning some new tourism campaigns based on certain movie shooting schedules. Business will be booming in no time.

Photo courtesy of nicogenin, via Wikimedia Commons