Hello, internet.

Welcome to Film Theory, the show that knows a pirate's favorite letter. You might think it's AR Hello internet, welcome to film theory.

The show that knows a pirate's favorite letter.

You might think it's R, and that's definitely a good guess,

but it always do be the sea.

You know, Pirates of the Caribbean is a weird franchise

to have had such a massive impact on pop culture.

Seriously, a $140 million film based on a pretty okay theme park ride in the

then-dead genre of pirate action movie that had flop written all over it. I'd say it's a pretty

safe bet that the main reason it was such a cultural touchstone was the rum-loving swashbuckling

Jack Sparrow. Captain Jack Sparrow. Everyone fell in love with Johnny Depp's portrayal of the legendary pirate, blending the swagger of rock stars like Keith Richards with the bumbling buffoonery of the now super-cancled Pepe Lepew.

Depp was even nominated for an Oscar for the part.

Just about the only people in the world who didn't love his portrayal were the executives at Disney.

Yep, who apparently couldn't stand, Depp's take, and wondered if the character was gay.

Wow, wow, Disney.

I'm just glad you've been able to become more progressive in the 20 years since that move.

Nope, never mind.

Anyway, those executives changed their tune real quick when Depp's Captain Jack led the franchise into the hearts and wallets of audiences worldwide,

earning nearly $4.5 billion at the global box office.

Now, that is a lot of rum money.

Now, there's been a lot of discussion over the last two decades around whether Captain Jack's antics were the result of an underestimated genius level intellect hidden under that persona or just an incredible streak of luck.

Even the characters in universe aren't sure.

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