The long-awaited return of Pirates of the Caribbean will hit cinema screens earlier than expected, as Disney confirmed the film will now be released on May 26th, 2017. It seemingly takes the original spot of Star Wars: Episode VIII, which has been delayed to December 2017.
Jack Sparrow and company were initially expected to open the latest instalment to the franchise on July 7, 2017; however, a recent re-shuffle on Disney's part will see the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales come forward.
The action/adventure will be directed by Rob Marshall and will feature actors from the original films such as Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom. However new characters Carina Smyth and Captain Salazar are set to make their debuts with the franchise – portrayed by Kaya Scodelario and Javier Bardem.
Reports have suggested that production for Dead Men Tell No Tales has been completed, although Disney are in no rush to launch the film right away, hence their decision to hold out for a 2017 release.
Moving both Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars away from each other might well have been a commercial decision, with Disney spreading out their biggest film franchises.
This should not be a problem for Star Wars, though. It would seem the success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens' release, during the holiday season of 2015, is a formula that Disney are looking to stick to with Episode 8.
