Margot Robbie is set to embark on a new cinematic journey as the lead of a new “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie.
The Oscar-nominated Australian actress will reunite with Christina Hodson, screenwriter for Harley Quinn movie “Birds of Prey”.
While the plot details of the new female-fronted film is not yet announced, it is to be a separate original story that will feature new characters and not intended to be a formal spin-off of the Disney franchise.
The project is also separate from the already announced franchise reboot currently in development by “Chernobyl” creator Craig Mazin.
Renowned action-movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer will produce both projects.
The news comes after actor Johnny Depp is expected to exit the long-running franchise as the iconic character Captain Jack Sparrow.
Depp’s attorney previously alleged that Disney reportedly dropped the actor from the franchise after his ex, Amber Heard, spoke about being a survivor of abuse.
Disney’s Sean Bailey however, announced in 2018 that they are already working on a separate reboot, which would be written by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese.
“We want to bring in a new energy and vitality. I love the [Pirates] movies, but part of the reason Paul and Rhett are so interesting is that we want to give it a kick in the pants. And that’s what I’ve tasked them with,” Bailey said in an interview.
The film’s original screenwriter Stuart Beattie declared previously that Depp’s time on the franchise “a great run.”
“Pirates of the Caribbean” is one of the most financially successful movie franchise of all time, grossing over $4.5 billion over five movies.
However, the last of the Depp-fronted movie was called a “box-office disappointment”, which prompted the studio to plot for a big re-brand, in which Bailey said that the franchise will survive without the eccentric captain.