Essentially, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) is the protagonist of Pirates of the Caribbean . It is her journey that we follow throughout the entire film.
And according to this hypothesis, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) is the secondary protagonist, since his character arc is inextricably linked to that of Elizabeth.
But all these words are meaningless.
Elizabeth, Will, Captain Barbossa and the motley crew of colorful characters must step aside.
Because after exactly 9 minutes and 2 seconds, a certain Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) strolls onto the screen, dances regally across a sinking ship, and the film is no longer the same.
He is the crown jewel; the pièce de résistance; the showpiece; the non plus ultra, take your pick.
Seventeen years later, the name Jack Sparrow is synonymous with Johnny Depp. It's shocking to consider that they originally wrote the role for Hugh Jackman (hence the "Jack").
The screenwriters initially envisioned Sparrow as a supporting character; he was almost an afterthought.
The first film was already finished, and then Jack was inserted into it, so to speak, like a joker. He doesn't have the obligations of the plot in the same way as the other characters. He simply wanders through the story, and he somehow influences everyone else.
Gore Verbinski, director
But Depp took the unbridled essence of Sparrow and practically ran away with it. He surprised everyone at the table read with his completely unconventional portrayal of the character.
He gilded his teeth and decided that the person who came closest to resembling this 18th-century pirate figure was his friend, the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.
His approach wasn't to everyone's taste. Depp's performance initially confused Disney executives, who questioned whether the character was drunk or gay.
While observing the filming, Disney CEO Michael Eisner announced that Depp would ruin the movie.
Suffice it to say, Depp did nothing of the sort. On the contrary, quite the opposite. Jack Sparrow was the breakout character. He was the jewel of the film. Aye?
Depp created something unique. It's a work of unadulterated brilliance. Make no mistake, Jack Sparrow is an inspired creation. This Oscar nomination was entirely justified.
His appearance in Pirates of the Caribbean , so sophisticated yet completely different, changed everything.
He transformed Depp from a character actor into a genuine leading man. And he made Jack Sparrow the undisputed star of the future Pirates franchise.
Elizabeth and Will said goodbye in 2007 with The World's End . Cap'n Jack carried on, raiding, looting, pillaging and robbing to his heart's content for another 10 years.