Bloom on board for Disney's PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN; fire damages sets

By: Mike Whybark
Date: Monday, September 16, 2002
Source: Variety, Reuters

On September 4, VARIETY reported that LOTR star and Gap pitchman Orlando Bloom had signed on to the Disney-Bruckheimer project PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. The film is based on the beloved Disneyland attraction, the last creative project which Walt Disney himself was heavily involved with. Disney has high hopes for summer 2003 with the feature, set to star Johnny Depp. Interestingly, the film is set for release in company with another attraction-derived picture, THE HAUNTED MANSION.

On September 10, Reuters reported that an estimated $350k worth of fire damage was inflicted on the sets of PIRATES in a two-alarm blaze. Disney spokespersons discounted the possibility that the damage would affect the shooting schedule.