10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’
When ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ premiered in 2017, it marked the fifth entry in Disney’s blockbuster swashbuckling franchise. Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, the film brought Johnny Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow while introducing Javier Bardem as the ghostly villain Captain Salazar. It also reintroduced Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley in cameo roles, tying the story back to the original trilogy while setting up the next generation of characters.
Though reviews were mixed, the movie grossed nearly \$800 million worldwide and reminded audiences of the franchise’s blend of supernatural adventure, humor, and spectacle. Behind the scenes, there were plenty of surprising choices and production details that shaped the film. Here are ten things you probably didn’t know about ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’.
Javier Bardem’s Makeup Took Hours to Apply
To transform Javier Bardem into the vengeful Captain Salazar, the makeup and visual effects team combined practical prosthetics with CGI. His ghostly appearance, with floating hair and cracked skin, was digitally enhanced but started with hours of on-set makeup work.
Bardem later said that the ghostly, decayed design helped him fully embody Salazar’s menacing presence. The hybrid effects made the character stand out as one of the most visually unique villains in the series.
Kaya Scodelario’s Character Was Meant to Refresh the Series
Kaya Scodelario played Carina Smyth, a determined astronomer who brought intelligence and scientific reasoning into the pirate world. The filmmakers introduced her character to give the series a new sense of direction.
Her role tied into the larger mythology when she was revealed to be the daughter of Captain Barbossa. This twist gave Geoffrey Rush’s character a powerful emotional arc in the film’s climax.
Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley Returned Briefly
Although Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann were absent from most of the movie, both characters returned in short but important scenes. Bloom’s Will appeared as captain of the cursed Flying Dutchman, while Knightley’s Elizabeth reunited with him at the end.
Their appearances gave longtime fans a sense of continuity and closure, connecting the new storylines to the original trilogy.
The Film Faced Multiple Title Changes
Before settling on ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales,’ Disney considered several other titles, including ‘Salazar’s Revenge’ (the name it was released under in some international markets). The team debated how best to capture the film’s supernatural tone.
The final title paid homage to the original Disneyland ride, where “Dead men tell no tales” is one of the most iconic phrases. This kept the film connected to its theme park origins.
Geoffrey Rush Wanted Barbossa’s Ending to Be Meaningful
Geoffrey Rush, who had played Barbossa since the first film, wanted his character’s death to carry weight. He worked with the directors to make Barbossa’s sacrifice for Carina both heroic and emotional.
The decision gave the franchise one of its most heartfelt moments, providing closure to a character who had been both a villain and an ally throughout the series.
Filming Took Place in Australia
Most of the movie was filmed in Queensland, Australia, taking advantage of government incentives and scenic coastlines. Massive sets, including ships and ocean battle stages, were constructed at Village Roadshow Studios.
The production was one of the largest ever undertaken in Australia, providing jobs and boosting the local film industry.
Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow Was Filmed Differently This Time
Johnny Depp reportedly had less improvisational freedom in this film compared to earlier entries. The directors wanted a slightly more structured performance to balance the introduction of new characters.
Even so, Depp’s eccentricity and unpredictable humor remained central to the film’s appeal, keeping Jack Sparrow as the face of the franchise.
Paul McCartney Made a Cameo
Music legend Paul McCartney appeared in the film as Uncle Jack, a relative of Captain Jack Sparrow. Dressed in pirate garb, he shared a humorous scene with Depp.
The cameo followed in the footsteps of Keith Richards, Depp’s inspiration for Jack Sparrow, who had played Jack’s father in earlier films. It added another rock ’n’ roll touch to the franchise.
The Ghost Ship Was a Technical Marvel
Salazar’s ship, the Silent Mary, was designed to open like a giant mouth, crushing other ships. Visual effects teams spent months perfecting the look of its collapsing, skeletal hull.
This unique design gave the Silent Mary a monstrous personality, making it one of the most memorable ships in the series.
It Was Meant to Relaunch the Franchise
Disney positioned ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ as both a continuation and a soft reboot of the series. By introducing new characters like Henry Turner and Carina Smyth while bringing back old favorites, the studio hoped to set the stage for future installments.
Although the next film has faced delays and changes in direction, this entry kept audiences invested in the idea of ongoing adventures in the pirate world.
Which of these behind-the-scenes facts about ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ did you find the most surprising? Share your thoughts in the comments!