Penelope Cruz Joining Pirates Of The Caribbean 4, Not Doing Melancholia
How often are Lars von Trier and a tentpole franchise likePirates of the Caribbeanpart of the same story? Yesterday we mentioned thatPenelope Cruzlooked like a lockto star inMelancholia, the next film fromLars von Trier. Now it seems that she won’t be doing that after all, in part because she’s brokering a deal to star alongsideJohnny DeppinPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
THRreports that the deal is in motion, but offers next to nothing about who Cruz would play. All the trade has is that “she is to be Sparrow’s foil and equal in many ways.” Not much to go on, though that line makes it sound as if her character would be the replacement for Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann.
The fallout from this is that Cruz may not be the lead in Lars von Trier’s next movie,Melancholia, after all. After digging up some European reports that claimed Cruz was in,The Playlistfound other quotes from von Trier and his producer Anders Refn that suggest she’s not in the picture. Translation of the Danish remarks is sketchy, but seems to point to Cruz not being able to sync up her schedule with their production. Which would make sense, if she’s going to commit a big chunk of time toPirates 4.
Too bad about that. I’d infinitely rather see Cruz in the more off-beat film. Given that working withPirates 4directorRob Marshallscored her a Best Supporting Actress nod forNine, I could see why there would be extra incentive to jump into a big franchise payday likePirates. But after the last film I have no real confidence in even that series' basic potential for entertainment. We’ll hope for a surprise from this next chapter, but I’m not really banking on it. I’ll put my money onMelancholia, instead.
