Movies News
Pirates of the Caribbean Open Casting Report
By James Wray
Dec 18, 2004, 15:50 GMT

Orlando Bloom Multimedia has a report from the recent open casting calls for the sequels to The Pirates of the Caribbean.

Despite the turnout, Casting Director Sande Alessi was expecting more. “This was not as big as most open calls, mostly because we did not want to see children. I was expecting 12-15,000 people. By comparison, we had 6000 for each of the Austin Powers’ sequels.” .

Ms. Alessi and her staff handled all applications between 8:30 AM and 5PM, collecting contact information, sizes, skills, experience, and photos. Wigs, eye patches, and beards had to be removed: “We need to see what you really look like,” said Ms. Alessi. They spent the next several days sorting people into groups (pirate crew, British and Caribbean townspeople, etc).

Auditions for pirate crew extras are planned for the third week of January with director Gore Verbinski and assistant directors. Ms Alessi explained that in the audition, “They’ll select a prop and then be given a scene to act with it.” Pirate crew extras are being selected early so they can complete training in sword play and other pirate skills before filming starts. They are meeting with Verbinski because the crew extras are so visible in the film.

According to Alessi, ideal pirate crew extras should be scrawny (historic pirates tended to live on vegetables and rum), with long hair and beards. She is especially looking for people with a really emaciated look, pirate re-enactor experience, sailing or tall ship experience (including the ability to climb masts, rig sails, and row) amputees, and people with removable body parts such as eyes and teeth.

Extras of various ethnic backgrounds will be needed, especially if Chow Yun-Fat’s character needs crew members or other associates. Ms. Alessi stressed that extras would be contracted throughout the year as filming progressed.

Read the full report and contacts on their site. Further details on the sequel/s in our movie database.