Johnny Depp in Final Negotiations for Fifth PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN Film

After becoming the eighth film to gross the international top dollar mark, the actor now synonymous with Captain Jack Sparrow is said to be close to a deal for the fifth installment of the popular movie series based upon the Walt Disney World theme park ride.

There have already been reports Walt Disney had been planning further sequels to the hit franchise with Terry Rossio assigned to work on the next installment's script and the sought after return of On Stranger Tides director Rob Marshall, but Depp's involvement has been the linchpin in assuring the series' continuance.

With the actor's apparent signing, the ongoing swashbuckling film anthology, which recently proved its popularity at the international box office, is almost assured a future with producer Jerry Bruckheimer's blessing.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has now grossed over $1 billion at the world wide box office. It is the second film in the Pirates franchise to attain the far reaching goal, following Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest in 2006. Last year two other Disney films, Alice in Wonderland and Toy Story 3, also claimed billion dollar status, giving the studio four out of the eight films to have passed the mark.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is directed by Rob Marshall and stars Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane, Geoffrey Rush, Kevin McNally, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Sam Claflin, Stephen Graham, Yuki Matsuzaki and Gemma Ward and is still playing in many theaters world wide.