'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' Cast, Plot, Release Date & Latest News: Penélope Cruz to Return in 'Dead Men Tell No Tales' as Wife Villain? [Rumors]

"Pirates of the Caribbean 5" is in full swing as it enters pre-production stage and set to shoot in Australia.

Aside from Johnny Depp, who is set to reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, another actor rumored to be in talks to appear in the franchise's fifth installment is Javier Bardem. The 45-year-old is said to be ironing out details to take on a villain role for the high-seas film.

With this new development, Air Herald noted that with Bardem's possible casting, we may see Penélope, 40, Cruz return to the series and see her team up with her real-life husband. It would make a great on-screen/off-screen story to see Bardem and Cruz attempt to take down Depp's character once and for all.

"It would somewhat make sense, as all of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have been shot in sequential order, and Penélope Cruz's character was only marooned on an island at the end of the fourth movie," recalled the publication.

Rumors indicate that movie directors Joachim Ronning and Epsen Sandberg are eyeing the "Skyfall" actor to join forces with Christoph Waltz (Captain Brand), says Ecumenical News.

Considering how well Cruz did in the previous film, "On Stranger Tides," there's really no downside to having her appear in the new film. 

"She worked so hard, you never knew she was pregnant because her energy level was great, her performance was great and there is such great chemistry between Johnny and Penélope," commened producer Jerry Bruckheimer via MTV previously on Cruz' performance. "They actually really do like each other. They worked together 10 years ago [on 'Blow']. You see that chemistry onscreen."

All throughout the film, the on-screen magic between Cruz and Depp is undeniable. 

"You need someone like Penélope, who's an Academy Award winner, to go up against Johnny Depp, because if they're not as good as she is, you can see it right away," continued Bruckheimer on Cruz' introduction to the franchise. "You can't spar with Johnny unless you're brilliant."

It is believed that Cruz' character, Angelica, won't be making a comeback but with the script still being developed and the film due out in 2016, a lot of major changes can still take place.

The movie is set to begin production in 2015 with the local Australian authorities confirming the project.

"The government is pleased to agree to Disney's request to enable earlier funding to be repurposed for the production of Pirates of the Caribbean 5," announced by Federal Arts Minister George Brandis via Variety.