Above photo: Ready to duel and regale with tales of bravery,
danger and laughter. Pirate re-enactors from Tales Of The Seven Seas pose
for the camera. They kicked off the Pirates Ultimate Fan Event in San
Francisco on Sunday, March 18 at the AMC Metreon 15 Theaters to promote the
trailer for the new film "Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End." The
film opens on May 25 worldwide, and in some places two days earlier on May 23.
Arrrrrrrr!!! Right then! What Should We Do With A Drunken Sailor??
Decorate Our Saloon With His Mischief!! Arrrrrrrrr!!
The enthusiasm excited all in attendance at the Pirates Ultimate Fan Event at
San Francisco's AMC Metreon 15 Movie Theaters on Sunday, as one of several
"Pirates" Ultimate Fan Events across America yesterday. Prizes were given
away. There was music, celebration, and fans decked out in the best Pirate
wear.
Captain Jack Sparrow himself would be proud.
But there were other reasons to be enthusiastic as those who attended
yesterday's events became the first in the world to see the trailer for the new
"Pirates" film "Pirates of The Caribbean: At World's End", the third film of the
trilogy, once again directed by Gore Verbinski. (The film opens in North
America on May 25, Memorial Day Weekend.) Prior to that however, the
Pirates fanatics were treated to entertainment courtesy of Tales Of The Seven
Seas, a group of pirate re-enactors who kept the throngs of decked-out fans of
all ages happy with performances, dances, swashbuckling swordfights, songs and
music. Following that was a screening of the film that began it all,
"Pirates Of The Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl". And if that were not
enough, fans who stayed until the end of the film were treated to a special
video message from "Pirates" actors Geoffrey Rush and Orlando Bloom
congratulating the fans for their dedication, loyalty and support. Then
the new trailer for "At World's End" was shown, followed by an encore.
Tonight in the United States the
trailer will be shown exclusively on television for the first time ever, during
a commercial break, sometime between 8 and 10 pm local time on ABC network
television during the program "Dancing With The Stars".
The trailer of "At World's End" promises more action, stronger plot and big
surprises. The trailer is thunderous, with more characters, dangerous
predicaments, hair-raising stunts and swordfights that Errol Flynn himself would
have loved to have done, and larger perils on the high seas as the chase to
rescue one Captain Jack Sparrow is on. The press in attendance were
treated to a sneak preview of the trailer, which was very well received from the
journalists (including this one.)
"Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End" opens in North America and
around the world on May 25 (and in some countries two days earlier on May 23)
and
is released worldwide by Walt Disney Pictures.
A scene from "Pirates of the Caribbean: At
World's End". The film opens in North America on May 25. The trailer
will be shown tonight. (Photo: Peter Mountain/Walt Disney)
Chow Yun-Fat (from "Curse Of The Golden Flower" and
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") and pictured above with Geoffrey Rush and
Johnny Depp, will be one of the new additions to the cast, and Keith Richards of
The Rolling Stones is expected to make a cameo appearance during the film as
well. All the "Pirate" shipmates are back, including Mr. Depp, in the
Oscar-nominated role that has endeared him to millions globally, as Captain Jack
Sparrow. Orlando Bloom returns, as does Mr. Rush, Keira Knightley, Naomie
Harris, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander and Marty Klebba.
Marty Klebba, star of the three "Pirates" films.
The new film, "Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End", opens in North America
on May 25, (Memorial Day Weekend in the U.S.)
Mr. Klebba, the thirty-something actor who plays Marty in the "Pirates" films,
made a surprise appearance at the Pirates Ultimate Fan Event on Sunday, sending
the fans in attendance wild with delirium. He made time to speak for a few
minutes with The Popcorn Reel about the upcoming film, offering some hints at
the action in store in the new film and his character's journey. "I think
you're going to see Marty gets even more involved in some of the action.
You're going to see where some of Marty's loyalties lie -- and obviously that's
more towards Jack, and obviously we're off to get Jack back. Yeah -- a lot
of action. It's gonna be -- I think "At World's End"'s going to be the
best of the three. It's going to be a good film."
The prior film, "Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest", released last
summer (July 7) took in over $1.2 billion worldwide. Though a number of
film critics around the world didn't find all that much to be excited about in
the sequel directed by Gore Verbinski (who directed all three films), fans
around the globe trusted their instincts and ignored the critics, making the
second film one of the biggest hits of all time. "Pirates Of The
Caribbean: At World's End" was filmed immediately after "Dead Man's Chest".
"We started in 2005, in February, and we first started shooting right at the
end," said Mr. Klebba. Asked how an actor can concentrate on the character
they are playing for almost two years, Klebba responded: "Each actor has a
different way you know, of coming in with his character. There's guys who
stay in character even when they are off the set. And then there's guys
who turn it on and turn it off. I choose to turn it on and turn it off
because I don't want to get too consumed outside . . . when I'm out and about.
Over two years it does become hard to stay the course when this monotonous thing
-- two, three years -- and all of a sudden you're starting to think that you
really are a pirate." That last comment elicits laughter, and Klebba
quickly interjects.
"Not that it's bad to be a pirate. Because being a pirate is pretty
awesome."
Geoffrey Rush, Keira Knightley and Johnny
Depp in a scene from "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End". The film
opens in North America on May 25. The trailer will be shown tonight.
(Photo: Peter Mountain/Walt Disney)
As evidenced by the Pirates Ultimate Fan Event turn out (and some of the
pictures below), the "Pirates" phenomenon has taken full hold, not only for the
two-and-a-half minute trailer that will be shown to television audiences in the
U.S. on Monday, March 19, but also for the film itself. Klebba weighed in
on it -- the "it" being the enthusiasm of the true fans of the "Pirates" films,
the original of which was based on a Disney amusement theme park ride.
"With 'The Lord of The Rings' they have a certain genre, and what's that kid's
one?, the "Potter" thing . . . "Harry Potter" -- I've never seen them --
it's more of a kid's thing, or maybe some weird adults, I don't know," Klebba
said. "But Spider-Man even has a trilogy -- I'm a huge Spider-Man fan
because I used to collect the books. But as I said, there's a certain
genre . . . [but] with 'Pirates of the Caribbean', we have little kids to very
old women who love pirates. There's something sexy about Johnny and
Orlando and Geoffrey Rush, and even Bill Nighy (who plays the mischievous Davy
Jones.) And then you have guys who fall over for Keira. I mean,
she's beautiful. The characters are just so rich and you just fall in love
and you just sort of identify with what they bring to the table."
Marty Klebba also sung Johnny Depp's praises, hailing him as an actor whose
rising status and talent placed him in the ranks of the greats. "To be
able to work with one of your top five [actors], which is Johnny Depp, I mean
it's just a -- everyday I'm coming to work, and I'm learning from Johnny -- the
way he carries himself, the way he prepares himself every day . . . he's always
ready to go on a second's notice . . . he's just a constant professional.
And I put him up there, you know, with Jimmy Cagney, Jimmy Stewart, Mickey
Rooney, Jack Nicholson. Those are, by far, some of the best actors of all
time. Marlon Brando. So to be able to work with one of your heroes
is great."
As for more "Pirates" films beyond "At World's End", Mr. Klebba wasn't prepared
to make any crystal ball pronouncements, but he said that "I could see a
'Pirates' 4, 5, or a 6. If everybody stays on board. I know Johnny
loves playing Captain Jack. You have one of the greatest producers of all
time in Jerry Bruckheimer. You don't get any better than Jerry. And
one of the greatest directors, Gore [Verbinski]. If you keep that core
element, you never know what could turn out."
TPR
Welcome to Pirateland!
Members of Tales Of The Seven Seas, a Northern
California-based group of pirate re-enactors
An Original Pirate Ship Mate -- one of the fans decked out
in the gear
Two dedicated "Pirates" fans standing on line . . . and on
guard for any rascals who might attack the ship
What say you, Captain Jack???
Tonight, Monday, March 19, in the United States the trailer for "Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End" will be shown exclusively on television for the first time ever, during a commercial break, sometime between 8 and 10 pm local time on ABC network television during the program "Dancing With The Stars".
