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Robert De Niro Could Be Jack Sparrow and Other Lesser-Known Facts About 'Pirates of the Caribbean'

Robert De Niro Could Be Jack Sparrow and Other Lesser-Known Facts About 'Pirates of the Caribbean'

You might not know this, but you should!

The saga of Jack Sparrow and his crew has long become legendary. We know all the lines, love the characters, and still enjoy rewatching every part. But here are a few intriguing facts you might not be aware of!

Jack Sparrow’s Hats and a Clever Rubber Trick

If Jack Sparrow’s hats could talk, they’d probably complain about Johnny Depp. The actor lost so many hats during filming—either dropping them overboard or sending them to the bottom of the ocean—that the props team had to take action. Instead of using leather hats, they started making rubber ones that wouldn’t sink. Now Jack’s hat, like the man himself, could survive any shipwreck.

Still from the series 'Pirates of the Caribbean'

Robert De Niro Almost Became a Pirate

It’s hard to imagine anyone else as Jack Sparrow or Hector Barbossa, but producers spent a long time casting the lead roles. Even Robert De Niro was among the candidates! However, the actor turned it down, believing that pirate movies were 'out of fashion' and the film would flop. How wrong he was! Still, De Niro eventually found his pirate persona in the movie Stardust.

Read also: 5 New French Comedies for a Taste of Nuanced, Non-Cliché Humor

Still from the series 'Pirates of the Caribbean'

Lenses Instead of Sunglasses

Have you ever wondered why Jack Sparrow confidently squints his eyes all the time? The truth is that Johnny Depp wore special contact lenses that acted as sunglasses. Filming under the blazing tropical sun was tough on the actors' eyes, and these lenses not only made it easier to see but also helped maintain Jack’s 'pirate gaze.'

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