Did you love Johnny Depp's over-the-top performance in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl? Well, Depp is in for some competition if the rumours are true.
The serene master, Chow Yun-fat, is said to be in talks to take the role of Cheung Po-tsai, Hong Kong's legendary old-time pirate, who will be pitted against brigand Jack Sparrow (played by pretty boy Depp) in two sequels.
Director Gore Verbinski was in Hong Kong last week, apparently to meet Chow and invite him to play the pirate.
To confirm the rumours, swing over to the Cheung Chau cave where pirate Cheung and cohorts were said to have stored their loot. If you see Chow there practising his swordsmanship, chances are he's taken the role. Fortunately, the Lamma native has kept his boyish looks - history buffs will tell you that Cheung, the 'Prince of Pirates', died before the age of 30.
The two Pirates sequels are to be shot simultaneously. Filming is due to start at the end of February, with the first sequel slated for a 2006 release. Also look for another veteran performer familiar to Hong Kong: Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones will reportedly take the role of Sparrow's father.