Movies 10 behind-the-scenes secrets about Pirates of the Caribbean By Sydney Bucksbaum Sydney Bucksbaum Sydney Bucksbaum is a writer at Entertainment Weekly covering all things pop culture – but TV is her one true love. She currently lives in Los Angeles but grew up in Chicago so please don't make fun of her accent when it slips out. EW's editorial guidelines Published on September 27, 2020 10:00AM EDT 'Ello, puppet! Think you know everything there is to know about the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise? Think again. The first of many films starring Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, and Johnny Depp debuted back in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and since then there have been four additional movies, with two more in development. Much like Davy Jones, this action-adventure franchise keeps coming back for more. But did you know which celebrity Depp used as inspiration for his iconic character Captain Jack Sparrow? Or who might have been cast instead of Depp and Bloom as the male leads? Check out these 10 behind-the-scenes secrets for even more buried treasure about the movies. Peter Mountain/Disney 1. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery Depp based Jack Sparrow's character and looks party on Rolling Stones rock star Keith Richards (who happened to make a cameo in the third film). 2. Who's the boss now? Although the film series was based on the Disneyland attraction, now there are items from the film that have been put in the ride, including Jack Sparrow and a chest of Aztec gold. 3. First come, first served Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was the first movie ever to premiere at Disneyland. 4. Let's see that resume The choice was between Heath Ledger and Bloom for the role of Will Turner, but Bloom got the role due to the popularity of Lord of the Rings. 5. That would've been… different The role of Jack Sparrow was originally written for Hugh Jackman. Everett Collection 6. Mother knows best Knightley was only 17 while filming the first movie — and her mother accompanied her to the shoot. 7. That's a long fall The large military fort that Knightley faints off in the first film was a practical set built on location in Palos Verdes, Calif., but the shot where she lands in the ocean is back in the Caribbean. 8. Love from the locals A popular bar in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (where many scenes were shot) features the mast Jack Sparrow famously makes his watery entrance on. 9. Sister's got your back Penelope Cruz was pregnant during On Stranger Tides, and her sister helped her out as a body double for wide shots. 10. On the fly Jack's recurring "savvy" and one of the film's final lines, "Bring me that horizon," were both improvised by Depp. Related content: 10 behind-the-scenes secrets about Wonder Woman 10 behind-the-scenes secrets about Thor EW's Cheat Sheet breaks down Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker Easter eggs you might've missed