When Disney first released its theme park ride–inspired film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," it proved to be a solid moneymaker for the company, spawning sequels and merchandise all over. Now, four films in, it appears as though viewers have started to lose their interest in the franchise.

A fifth installment in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series is currently in the works. And although it initially seemed hopeless to have it green-lit, Disney eventually gave the film its go-ahead. Many argue that what made the franchise so successful in the first place was Johnny Depp and his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow. The character has since become universally renowned — the sign of a true legacy.

However, reports are now saying that Depp's declining popularity may result in Disney scrapping his character entirely, replacing him with Orlando Bloom. This has led many to believe that "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" may be his last.

Bloom played Will Turner in the first three films and will be back to reprise his role in the upcoming installment. It has been said that "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" will not act as a sequel; rather, it will be more of a soft reboot for the franchise. The film will reportedly focus on Will and his son, Henry, played by Brenton Thwaites. The film will see Bloom's character commanding Davy Jones' ship.

There were previous rumors about a sixth film being shot back-to-back with the fifth, but Disney decided to table part 6. Perhaps, the entertainment giant wants to see how "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" performs first before trusting a sixth installment. After all, it has been said that the new film is aiming for a younger audience, which is why new characters have been written into the script. Only time will tell if the decision proves fruitful.

"Pirates of the Caribbean 5" is expected to come out in theaters on May 26, 2017.