Disney Snags Screenwriter for Fifth "Pirates of the Caribbean"

Disney is green lighting a fifth "Pirates of the Caribbean." The company announced today it is bringing on "The Terminal" and "Catch Me If You Can" screenwriter Jeff Nathanson to pen the script.

Variety Magazine reported Nathanson has signed on to write the script, though the production schedule and release date have yet to be determined. The storyline for the fifth installment of the lucrative franchise is still underway, as well as its main stars. In the past Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Penelope Cruz have co-starred in the films.

Nathanson is in high-demand these days. He penned the scripts for "Rush Hour 3" and "Men in Black 3" and is currently working on the script for Dream Works' "The 39 Clues," based on the adventure novels.

Superstar of the franchise Johnny Depp will be resuming his beloved role as Captain Jack Sparrow. Reviews of the fourth film "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" were less enthusiastic than previous installments, but it still grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. The franchise in its entirety has brought in more than $3.5 billion worldwide.