'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' Release Date, Cast & Plot: Disney Wants Javier Bardem as Ghostly Villain?

It seems Captain Jack Sparrow may have found himself a new enemy as Disney is reported to be in talks with Spanish actor Javier Bardem regarding a villainous role.

The Wrap reported that the production team behind the franchise's fifth installment, "Pirates of the Caribbean : Dead Men Tell No Tales," being directed by Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg, is looking at the famed actor to play opposite Johnny Depp.

"Christoph Waltz had been rumored to play the film's villain," wrote the website and continued that "Bardem currently holds the offer and is in discussions to tackle the part of Captain Brand, a ghost bent on revenge against Capt. Jack Sparrow, who he holds responsible for the murder of his brother."

The 45-year-old actor has taken on a number of villain roles in the past. He portrayed the character of Silva in the latest James Bond film, "Skyfall." Per Contact Music, the Latin actor also took home an Oscar for his role as Anton Chigurh in 2007's "No Country for Old Men."

Destined to be 'pirate'

Before his name was linked to the new "Pirates" movie, Bardem was widely rumored to be part of another pirate film, Joe Wright's "Peter Pan" movie, where he was reportedly up for the role of Blackbeard, which has since been taken on by Hugh Jackman, recalled IGN.

Bardem's latest project is with Sean Penn in "The Gunman" and he is also working with him on "The Last Face," a romantic drama.

Interestingly enough, Bardem's wife, Esquire's "sexiest woman alive," Penelope Cruz, has also been a part of the "Pirates" history as she appeared in the fourth installment, 2011's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," noted The Wrap.

Actors who will reprise their roles

Some film characters expected to return for the new film include Geoffrey Rush who plays Barbossa, along with Ian McShane and Stephen Graham. There are rumored cameos for Orlando Bloom and Keith Richards but presently, there is no word on whether Cruz will be involved in the new film.

Jerry Bruckheimer will be returning as producer for the "Pirates of the Caribbean 5." The film will be shot in Australia and is set for a July 2017 release.