The fourth "Pirates of the Caribean" film hit rocky seas when it first left dock. Director Gore Verbinski, who helmed the first three films, passed on the project to shepherd a film version of the video game hit "Bio-Shock". Then Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley announced they were giving the fourth film the black spot, deciding on pursuing other projects. Then news came akin to walking the plank in shark infested waters--Johnny Depp was said to be unsure about returning as Captain Jack Sparrow. Without the iconic lead in the film, the movie was sunk before it pulled out of the harbor.

Now it appears things are far from dire on "Pirates of the Caribean: On Stranger Tides". Johnny Depp is fully aboard as Capt. Jack Sparrow, and he'll be joined by two new castmates. Ian McShane is signing on as the villain of the tale, Bluebeard. Geoffery Rush is expected to return as Capt. Barbossa; newbie to the franchise Penelope Cruz is also enlisting. The new director will be Rob Marshall, who previously helmed "Chicago" and "Nine". The story is based on a novel by Tim Powers that concerned the Fountain of Youth, and will be adapted by Ted Elliot and Terry Russio.

"Pirates of the Caribean: On Stranger Tides" will be debuting on May 20, 2011.