It has been over 20 years since Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl first sailed into theaters.
The motion movie, which premiered in 2003, follows Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) as they retake Sparrow’s previous ship the Black Pearl, all whereas rescuing the younger Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) from cursed pirate Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush).
“She’s a Twenty first-century lady trapped in an 18th-century world,” Knightley stated of her character in a 2003 BBC interview. “She sort of begins out as a damsel in misery after which kicks ass.”
The film was impressed by the enduring Disney journey of the identical identify and spawned 4 sequels: Lifeless Man’s Chest (2006), At World’s Finish (2007), On Stranger Tides (2011) and Lifeless Males Inform No Tales (2017). Jack Sparrow has additionally change into certainly one of Depp’s most iconic roles — the actor has even shocked Disney friends by sneaking onto the attraction dressed as his character, per Variety.
However what’s the solid as much as as of late? From Oscar-nominated performances to becoming a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), right here’s all the things to know in regards to the solid of Pirates of the Caribbean and the place they’re now.
Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow
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In Pirates, Depp performed Captain Jack Sparrow, the conniving, sly, swashbuckler who seeks to retake management of his misplaced ship within the franchise’s first movie.
Earlier than starring in Pirates, Depp was already fairly well-known because of starring roles within the 21 Leap Avenue collection (1987-1991), plus motion pictures like Edward Scissorhands (1991) and Blow (2001). Depp reprised his position as Jack Sparrow for all 4 sequels. Since then, he’s had components in different hit motion pictures just like the Improbable Beasts franchise (2016-2018) and Metropolis of Lies (2018).
In 2019, Depp sued ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation over her 2018 Washington Publish op-ed titled “I spoke up towards sexual violence — and confronted our tradition’s wrath.” The trial, formally labeled John C. Depp, II v. Amber Laura Heard, befell in 2022 and obtained giant quantities of publicity.
A seven-person jury determined that Heard defamed Depp in her op-ed and he was awarded greater than $10 million in damages. After months of appeals, the 2 reached a settlement in 2023, with Heard agreeing to pay Depp $1 million. Depp then introduced he would donate the cash to 5 charities.
Because the trial, Depp has largely centered on indie initiatives just like the 2023 movie Jeanne du Barry and the animated movie Johnny Puff: Secret Mission (2024). Subsequent up, Depp is about to star in Day Drinker, the place he’ll play an eccentric yacht visitor who befriends a bartender performed by Madelyn Cline.
Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann
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Knightley performed Elizabeth Swann, an aristocrat who’s rescued by Sparrow and Turner after being kidnapped by rival pirates. She then finally ends up becoming a member of Sparrow and his ragtag crew on their adventures.
Pirates got here at first of Knightley’s profession, however many followers already knew her because of appearances in Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), the place she performed Sabé (Padme’s stand-in).
Knightley returned for 3 of the Pirates sequels. Throughout her time within the franchise, she additionally earned two Oscar nominations for her roles in Satisfaction & Prejudice (2005) and The Imitation Sport (2014). Since then, she’s starred in motion pictures like The Nutcracker & the 4 Realms (2018), Silent Evening (2021) and Boston Strangler (2023).
Off-screen, Knightley has been married to musician James Righton since 2013 and so they have two daughters, Edie and Delilah. Knightley’s subsequent position will probably be in Netflix’s thriller The Lady in Cabin 10. Based mostly on the novel of the identical identify by Ruth Ware, the movie sees a cruise flip lethal.
Orlando Bloom as Will Turner
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Bloom starred as Will Turner, a blacksmith with pirate heritage who’s additionally Elizabeth Swann’s love curiosity. “My character was this earnest, true blue, straight-shooting man,” Bloom told BBC in 2003.
Pre-Pirates, Bloom was already a rising star because of his roles in The Lord of the Rings franchise (2001-2003) and Black Hawk Down (2001). After Curse of the Black Pearl, Bloom reprised his position within the sequel Lifeless Man’s Chest and had a cameo in Lifeless Males Inform No Tales.
After his time in Pirates, Bloom returned to Center Earth in 2011, reprising his position as Legolas in The Hobbit franchise. He additionally starred within the collection Carnival Row (2019-2023) and the movie Gran Turismo (2023). Subsequent up, he’s set to star alongside Bryce Dallas Howard and Sean Bean within the motion comedy Deep Cowl, a couple of group of improv actors who’re requested to go undercover.
In his private life, Bloom was married to mannequin Miranda Kerr from 2010-2013 and collectively they’d a son, Flynn. Bloom then began courting Katy Perry in 2016, proposing to her in 2019. Collectively, they welcomed daughter Daisy in 2020.
Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbosa
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Rush portrayed Captain Hector Barbosa, a sailor as soon as underneath Sparrow’s command who later usurped him aboard the Black Pearl. Because the franchise goes on, he and Sparrow kind an alliance.
Earlier than becoming a member of Pirates, Rush was already an Oscar-winning actor because of the biopic Shine (1996). He additionally starred in huge movies like Elizabeth (1998) and Shakespeare in Love (1998). Rush returned for all 4 Pirates sequels and later held roles in movies like Minions (2015), Gods of Egypt (2016) and The Rule of Jenny Pen (2024).
In 2019, Rush was awarded over $1.9 million after profitable a defamation case towards an Australian newspaper that printed allegations of sexual misconduct towards him.
Rush has been married to actress Jane Menelaus since 1988. They’ve two kids, Angelica and James, each of whom work within the movie trade, as he informed The Guardian.
Jack Davenport as James Norrington
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Jack Davenport performs James Norrington, a nobleman in love with Elizabeth. As soon as he sees that she’s been captured by pirates, he units off to rescue her. Davenport reprised the position twice, for Lifeless Man’s Chest and At World’s Finish.
After Pirates, Davenport discovered success starring in tv collection like Smash (2012-2013), Why Ladies Kill (2019-2021), The Morning Present (2019) and the second season of Dr. Demise (2023).
Davenport comes from a profitable Hollywood household. His father is Nigel Davenport, who starred in movies like Chariots of Hearth (1981), and his mom is Maria Aitken, who starred in motion pictures like A Fish Referred to as Wanda (1988).
Davenport has additionally been married to an actress, Michelle Gomez, since 2000. She is thought for starring in reveals like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020) and The Flight Attendant (2020-2022).
Subsequent up, Davenport will star in PBS’ revival of The Forsyte Saga, primarily based on the well-known e book collection of the identical identify, per Deadline.
Kevin R. McNally as Joshamee Gibbs
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Kevin R. McNally performed Joshamee Gibbs, a devoted good friend to Jack Sparrow who turns into a pirate in his crew.
McNally reprised his position for all 4 sequels. Since then, he’s held starring roles in reveals like Flip: Washington’s Spies (2014-2017) and movies like House 7A (2024).
Off-screen, McNally has been married to Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan since 2011. They’ve a son named David, who’s a musician, per the Sunday Post. McNally is now starring in Miss Austen, a collection in regards to the life and relationship between famed writer Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra.
Zoe Saldaña as Anamaria
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Zoe Saldaña seems within the The Curse of the Black Pearl as Anamaria, a pirate who has a sordid historical past with Sparrow. After putting a deal, she agrees to affix his crew.
After her position in Pirates, Saldaña’s profession skyrocketed. She starred in Guardians of the Galaxy as Gamora, along with different hit franchises like Star Trek (2009-2025) and Avatar (2009-2025).
Due to her huge franchises, Saldaña turned the primary actor to star in 4 motion pictures grossing greater than $2 billion. On prime of her movie roles, she additionally stars within the Paramount+ collection Particular Ops: Lioness (2023-2025).
In 2025, Saldaña earned a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for her work in Emilia Pérez (2024).
Saldana dated actor Bradley Cooper from 2011 to 2013 and has been married to filmmaker Marco Perego since 2013. They’ve three kids collectively: twin daughters Cy and Bowie and son Zen. Subsequent up, Saldana has extra Avatar movies on the best way, the primary being Avatar: Hearth and Ash set for a December 2025 launch.
Jonathan Pryce as Governor Weatherby Swann
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Johnathan Pryce portrayed Elizabeth’s father Weatherby Swann, who can also be the Governor of Port Royal.
Earlier than Pirates, Pryce was a profitable, Tony-winning stage actor who starred in reveals like Hamlet, Oliver! and Miss Saigon. After Curse of the Black Pearl, he reprised his position two extra occasions in Lifeless Man’s Chest and At World’s Finish, and later earned an Oscar nomination for portraying Pope Francis in 2019’s The Two Popes.
Pryce additionally starred as Prince Phillip in The Crown (2016-2023) and starred within the hit crime collection Gradual Horses (2022-2024). Subsequent up, Pryce will star alongside Pierce Brosnan and David Tennant within the Netflix homicide thriller The Thursday Homicide Membership, per Deadline.
Off-screen, the actor has been in a relationship with actress Kate Fahy since 1972, per The Guardian.
Lee Arenberg as Pintel
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Lee Arenberg performed the pirate Pintel, who was a member of Sparrow’s crew usually seen bumbling round along with his pal Ragetti.
Arenberg reprised the position for 2 extra Pirates sequels and later went on to star as varied characters in As soon as Upon a Time (2011-2018). His subsequent mission would be the western drama Last Train to Fortune, which additionally stars Mary Steenburgen and Bernadette Peters.
Mackenzie Criminal as Ragetti
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Mackenzie Criminal starred as the opposite half of the Pintel-Ragetti duo and was recognized for his fale, wood eye.
Similar to Arenberg, Criminal additionally reprised his position for 2 Pirates sequels after which went on to star in plenty of British tv reveals like Detectorists (2014-2022) and Worzel Gummidge (2019-2021), the latter of which he additionally wrote and directed.