Pirates Of The Caribbean Star Reveals Desire To Return For Rumored Reboot

The future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise remains as mysterious and unpredictable as the sea itself. With multiple projects rumored to be in development at Disney, including a potential reboot and another film that might see the return of legacy characters, fans are left to wonder which direction the studio will sail next. Amidst this uncertainty, one former star has tossed his hat back into the ring, expressing a heartfelt desire to once again walk the deck of a pirate ship: Sam Claflin.

This article explores the possibility of a Sam Claflin Pirates of the Caribbean return. We will delve into his recent comments about his experience on On Stranger Tides, his surprising reason for wanting to revisit his character, Philip Swift, and what his potential return could mean for the future of the beloved franchise.

A Look Back at Philip Swift

Sam Claflin joined the Pirates universe in the fourth installment, 2011’s On Stranger Tides. He played Philip Swift, a devout and compassionate missionary who is taken prisoner by the infamous pirate Blackbeard. His character’s journey becomes deeply intertwined with that of Syrena (played by Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey), a mermaid captured by the crew. Their love story served as the emotional heart of the film, a replacement for the central romance of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann from the original trilogy.

The film ends with Philip being mortally wounded. In a final, enchanting scene, Syrena returns to him, gives him a kiss that allows him to breathe underwater, and pulls him down into the depths with her. His fate was left ambiguous, a classic Pirates cliffhanger that was never resolved in subsequent films. For over a decade, audiences have been left to speculate about what became of the missionary and the mermaid.

Claflin’s Surprising Reason for Wanting to Return

While promoting his new Prime Video series Lazarus, Sam Claflin was asked about the possibility of returning to the franchise. His response was immediate and enthusiastic. “Let’s beg the producers, because I would love to revisit that world again,” Claflin said in an exclusive interview with ComicBook.com.

However, his motivation for returning isn’t about revisiting the character’s storyline or seeking a bigger role. Instead, it’s about getting a second chance to truly appreciate the experience. On Stranger Tides was Claflin’s first major film role, and he admits the immense pressure and his own inexperience prevented him from fully enjoying the moment.

“It was my first ever film,” he reflected. “I was so nervous. I was like a deer in headlights. I didn’t know what was happening… I took myself and the job so seriously… I look back at that experience. God, I wish I just had more fun. I just wish I allowed myself to just sort of enjoy it and relish every single moment.”

This candid reflection offers a rare and relatable glimpse into the mindset of a young actor stepping onto one of the biggest film sets in the world. Claflin’s desire for a do-over is rooted in personal growth and a wish to bring his current, more seasoned perspective to a world he once found overwhelming. “I would love the opportunity to kind of get back on the pirate ship,” he concluded. “I mean that would be a dream come true for me.”

Could Philip Return to the Franchise?

At first glance, the return of a supporting character from a film released fourteen years ago might seem unlikely. However, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has a long and storied history of bringing characters back from seemingly definitive ends.

The most famous example is Geoffrey Rush’s Captain Hector Barbossa, who was killed at the end of the first film, The Curse of the Black Pearl, only to be resurrected and become a mainstay of the series. Other characters, like Lieutenant Gillette, have also made returns after years-long absences. The post-credits scene of the fifth film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, even teased the return of the ghostly Davy Jones. In the world of Pirates, no character is ever truly gone for good.

Philip’s ambiguous fate makes his return one of the easiest to justify narratively. Did he drown? Did he become something else in the mermaids’ underwater kingdom? Did Syrena’s kiss grant him a new form of life? These are fascinating questions that a new film could explore. His story, a tale of faith, love, and sacrifice, offers a different flavor from the swashbuckling antics of the pirates, providing a potential source of emotional depth for a future installment.

What This Means for the Future of Pirates

As Disney charts the course for the next phase of Pirates of the Caribbean, the studio faces a major decision: a full reboot with a brand-new cast or a legacy sequel that blends new characters with familiar faces. Rumors have swirled about a female-led project starring Margot Robbie, as well as another script that could potentially feature Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow.

A Sam Claflin Pirates of the Caribbean return could fit neatly into either scenario. In a legacy sequel, the return of Philip and Syrena could serve as a compelling subplot, connecting the new story to the events of On Stranger Tides and offering closure to long-time fans. In a soft reboot, he could appear as a seasoned, world-weary character, transformed by his years spent in a mystical, underwater realm, serving as a mentor or a mysterious figure for a new generation of heroes and villains.

Claflin’s public enthusiasm is a valuable asset for Disney. It shows that there is still love for the franchise among its former cast members, and his return could generate significant positive buzz. For now, the decision rests in the hands of producer Jerry Bruckheimer and the creative team at Disney. As Claflin himself said, “Unfortunately it’s not in my hands.” But for fans who have wondered about the fate of the missionary and the mermaid, his comments have sparked a new wave of hope that their story may not be over after all.