Scarlett Johansson Quietly Ends the ‘Pirates’ Franchise With One New Movie
For fans still clinging to hope that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 will ever set sail, it might be time to move on. Not because Disney finally canceled it, but because Scarlett Johansson may have just offered the studio a much smoother ride—no compass or rum required.
After years of swirling rumors, awkward false starts, and endless speculation about Johnny Depp’s return, the Pirates franchise has been more of a drifting ship than a blockbuster machine. Disney never officially pulled the plug, but they haven’t exactly hoisted the sails either.
Meanwhile, over in the shadows, a different project is building momentum. One that doesn’t involve cursed treasure, undead monkeys, or sea battles. It just needs a haunted hotel elevator and one Hollywood A-lister.
Johansson’s “Tower of Terror” Film Is the Real Deal
Scarlett Johansson isn’t just starring in Tower of Terror—she’s producing it. And that detail alone signals something major. She’s not picking up a paycheck. She’s shaping a new potential franchise. This is a film based on one of Disney’s most legendary theme park rides, and it’s being treated with real creative weight.
Unlike Pirates, which now carries the burden of fan expectations and tabloid baggage, Tower of Terror is still a blank canvas. And Johansson seems eager to paint something eerie, stylish, and just spooky enough to pull in families and thrill-seekers alike.
With Jojo Rabbit’s Taika Waititi reportedly in the director’s chair and the haunting ambiance of The Twilight Zone as its creative backdrop, this isn’t some cheap thrill. It’s Disney’s best shot at moving forward without constantly looking over its shoulder.
Why It Could Outshine Pirates 6
Let’s be honest—every time Pirates of the Caribbean 6 comes up, so does the question: “But what about Jack Sparrow?” The franchise doesn’t just have big shoes to fill; it has an entire ghost ship of expectations to battle through.
That’s not the case here. Tower of Terror has the kind of freedom Disney hasn’t had in a while. No built-in controversies. No legacy cast drama. Just creative opportunity.
And that’s why Johansson may have just sealed the fate of the Pirates franchise—without even saying a word.
A Franchise Shift We Didn’t See Coming
Disney’s ride-to-film pipeline has had its ups (Pirates in 2003, Jungle Cruise in 2021) and downs (Haunted Mansion twice). But this new venture has something the others didn’t: a clear break from the past.
Scarlett Johansson isn’t replacing Johnny Depp as a pirate. She’s doing something more strategic—leading the way into a different kind of adventure. And if it works, it could quietly close the chapter on Pirates for good.
