'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' is going to happen whether we like it or not. Sure, 2011's 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' might have been a heaping pile of junk, but it was a heaping pile of junk that made over $1 billion worldwide. What can we say? People just love Johnny Depp. But with director Rob Marshall not returning and original franchise helmsman Gore Verbinski long gone, who will step behind the camera? A few potential names have emerged.

According to Deadline, a few filmmakers are being seriously considered for the 'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' director's seat. However, don't expect any big names to attach themselves to the fifth entry in this increasingly creaky franchise. It looks like Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer are more interested in getting someone new and hungry than an established veteran. Disney's list includes:

Fredrik Bond, the director of the upcoming 'The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman' and apparently a favorite of Bruckheimer's. Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, whose 2012 film 'Kon-Tiki' is set almost entirely on a wooden raft in the middle of the ocean, thus makes them well-prepared for a big pirate movie. And finally, Rupert Sanders, the director of 'Snow White and the Huntsman,' who is not being asked back for 'Snow White and the Huntsman 2' and thus is wide open.

The decision should be made soon, as the film will begin shooting later this year or early next year with a release date of July 10, 2015. Can any of these folks bring back the spark that's been missing in this series since the first film? Maybe. Hopefully.

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