Yo-ho-ho, the wily ol’ rum-guzzling pirate is returning to the high seas. And this time, Captain Jack Sparrow, that dandyish, rumpled and permanently addled pirate, has a new romantic interest to spar with. Johnny Depp brings back Disney’s popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise — the fourth instalment, On Stranger Tides, which releases this May.

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane join the rest of the cast in this Jerry Bruckheimer production. Keith Richards returns in a cameo as Captain Teague, Jack Sparrow’s father. Director Rob Marshall (Chicago and Memoirs of a Geisha) has taken over as director from Gore Verbinski, who directed the first three Pirates movies. Two key characters — Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley — will not be reprising their roles as Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann respectively. That love interest gone, the focus shifts squarely to Sparrow. On Stranger Tides will be part prequel, and will feature flashbacks to Sparrow’s early life.

Based on Tim Powers’ novel of the same name, On Stranger Tides sees Jack Sparrow setting out to find the fabled Fountain of Youth — a recurring theme in the movie series. Jack bumps into the mysterious Angelica (Cruz), a woman connected to his past. But is it love or is she a con artist using him to get to the Fountain of Youth? When the sword-wielding Angelica forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (McShane), Jack doesn’t know what he’s in for. Should he fear the dangerous Blackbeard or his more dangerous daughter, Angelica? And what is one to make of Hector Barbossa (Rush), who seems to be hand-in-glove with the crown? Two other new characters — mystical mermaid Syrena (Bergès-Frisbey) and the mysterious young missionary Philip (Claflin) — add a romantic side track.

Shot in Disney Digital 3D, On Stranger Tides is the first all live-action, epic outdoor adventure shot on Red 3D cameras. Filmed on islands of Kauai, Oahu, Puerto Rico, Palominito and Great Britain, the movie has all the ingredients of the Pirates recipe: spectacular special effects, mouthwatering visuals, a carriage chase, a rumble through the jungle, pursuit on the high seas, mermaids and zombies, and Jack Sparrow in full flow! Jack and his crew find themselves embroiled in the adventure of a lifetime as they scour the seas in their quest for the elusive fountain.

On Stranger Tides is the second time Depp and Cruz are teaming up — they were last seen playing husband and wife in the 2001 film Blow. The film also reunites Cruz with Marshall — they worked together in 2009’s Oscar-nominated musical Nine. Will the Sparrow-Angelica love story put Turner and Swann in the shade? The witty repartee seems to indicate that it just may! The latest Pirates of the Caribbean instalment will be showcased at the Cannes Film Festival this year. It will be screened out of competition after its premiere at Disneyland. And for a surprise that doesn’t really come as one in this season of sequels! A fifth (and possibly a sixth) Pirates of the Caribbean film is likely soon. Depp has expressed his willingness to return as Captain Sparrow “as long as we can put all the puzzle pieces together”. So, drink up, me hearties, yo-ho!