‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Director Explains Why CGI FX Look Worse in 2025 Than in 2006 — Unreal Engine?!

Gore Verbinski, the director of the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films, has pinpointed the rise of video game engines like Unreal in movie visual effects as a key reason why modern CGI often falls short of the photorealistic quality seen in earlier blockbusters.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• Gore Verbinski attributes the dip in CGI quality to the adoption of Unreal Engine, which brings a gaming look to films that clashes with photorealism.

• Davy Jones from 2006’s Dead Man’s Chest set a high bar with ILM’s detailed motion capture and practical integration, costing as much as some entire low-budget films today.

• The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise spans five movies grossing over $4.5 billion, but faces uncertainty with reboots in development amid Johnny Depp’s mixed signals on returning.

• Disney plans a reboot without relying on original stars, potentially featuring new leads like Margot Robbie or Ayo Edebiri.

• Future films aim to blend spectacle with fresh stories, though VFX challenges persist in matching the originals’ groundbreaking effects.

Gore Verbinski blames Unreal Engine for pulling movie effects into a video game realm that lacks true-to-life lighting and textures.

Verbinski directed The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Dead Man’s Chest (2006), and At World’s End (2007). In a November 2025 interview, he noted that tools like Unreal, originally built for games, have infiltrated cinema pipelines. This shift replaces traditional software like Maya, which allowed for nuanced rendering of elements such as subsurface scattering—how light penetrates and bounces off skin or surfaces. The result, he said, is an “uncanny valley” effect where creatures and environments feel off, especially in films aiming for realism.

He contrasted this with his own work on Pirates, where teams prioritized accuracy in motion and integration. For instance, even a digitally created helicopter must “earn every turn” by moving authentically, or the illusion breaks. Verbinski added that executives now accept flaws, like ships that don’t convincingly interact with water, which would have been unacceptable in the 2000s.

Davy Jones’ groundbreaking CGI in 2006 relied on motion capture, practical sets, and meticulous artist oversight to achieve lasting realism.

Bill Nighy portrayed Davy Jones through motion capture, with Industrial Light & Magic handling the visuals. The character’s tentacles alone required extensive simulation for fluid movement and interaction with light and water. Verbinski recalled in his interview that the effects for those tentacles cost as much as his entire 2025 film Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. This investment paid off; the blend of practical filming on actual ships at sea with digital enhancements created a seamless world that still impresses viewers today.

Unlike current rushed productions, the 2006 team had time to refine details, avoiding the automated in-betweening that Verbinski criticizes in modern tools. He emphasized keeping at least 50% of frames photographic to ground the effects, a practice less common now with volume stages and real-time engines.

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise evolved from a theme park ride adaptation into a billion-dollar saga blending adventure, humor, and supernatural elements.**

Launched in 2003 with The Curse of the Black Pearl, the series drew from Disney’s iconic ride and starred Johnny Depp as the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow, alongside Orlando Bloom as Will Turner and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann. The first film earned over $654 million worldwide, praised for its witty script by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Dead Man’s Chest in 2006 introduced Davy Jones and grossed $1.066 billion, while At World’s End in 2007 wrapped the trilogy at $960 million.

Later entries shifted focus: On Stranger Tides (2011), directed by Rob Marshall, added Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane, earning $1.045 billion without Bloom or Knightley. Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), helmed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, brought back Bloom briefly and introduced Javier Bardem as villain Armando Salazar, pulling in $794 million. The franchise’s total haul exceeds $4.5 billion, but diminishing returns and production costs have prompted reboots.

Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Jack Sparrow defined the series, but legal battles and studio decisions have clouded his potential return.

Depp earned an Oscar nomination for his quirky performance in the 2003 film, drawing inspiration from Keith Richards and cartoon characters. He reprised the role in all five movies, becoming synonymous with the franchise. However, after his 2022 defamation trial against Amber Heard, Disney distanced itself, leading Depp to state he felt betrayed and wouldn’t return even for $300 million.

Recent updates show softening: Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed talks with Depp in August 2025, suggesting he’d consider a well-written role. Bruckheimer told Entertainment Weekly, “We’ve had talks, but we’ll see what happens.” Depp has echoed openness if the project aligns, though he prioritizes other ventures like directing Modi in 2025.

Disney’s Pirates reboot aims to refresh the series with new casts and stories, potentially sidestepping original stars for faster production.**

Bruckheimer described the next film as a reboot in September 2025, noting it simplifies scheduling without big-name commitments. He told ComicBook, “We’re gonna reboot Pirates, so that is easier to put together because you don’t have to wait for certain actors.” Scripts are in progress: Jeff Nathanson, who worked on Dead Men Tell No Tales, is penning one, while earlier drafts from Ted Elliott and Craig Mazin were paused due to strikes.

Two projects are underway—a full reboot with new characters and a female-led spin-off. Margot Robbie remains attached to the latter, with Bruckheimer pushing Disney to greenlight it. Rumors in January 2026 suggest Ayo Edebiri could lead a women-driven version as Anne, inspired by pirate Anne Bonny. Orlando Bloom expressed interest in returning as Will Turner, saying Bruckheimer is “pretty excited about it.” No release date is set, but speculation points to 2027 or later.

As CGI evolves and the Pirates saga reboots, Verbinski’s insights remind filmmakers that technology serves the story, not the other way around. Balancing innovation with proven techniques could revive the magic of the Davy Jones era, while fresh narratives may chart new courses for the franchise. Whether Jack Sparrow sails again or new pirates claim the horizon, the series’ legacy of swashbuckling adventure endures.

Hat Tips

• But Why Tho? — Gore Verbinski Discusses ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die’ and Why CGI No Longer Looks Good / November 2025

• JoBlo — Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Casting Rumors and Everything Else We Know / January 2026

• Nerdist — New PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN Movies Will Be Reboots / September 26, 2025

• Threads — Ayo Edebiri rumored to lead a women-driven reboot / January 6, 2026

• Deadline — Jerry Bruckheimer Thinks Johnny Depp Would Hop Aboard a New Pirates Film / August 12, 2025

• GamesRadar — Why Movie CGI Is Getting Worse – Unreal Engine / January 2026

• Reddit — Will there be a Pirates of the Caribbean 6? / October 2025