Brad Pitt film sinks, but Johnny Depp looks set to sail into the vortex — again

THE government planned to give Disney millions to film Brad Pitt’s new movie here — but now the studio wants that money for the latest Pirates sequel instead.

"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES" JOHNNY DEPP is the unscrupulous but freedom-loving Captain Jack Sp...

BRAD Pitt is a no-show but Johnny Depp might be setting his compass for our shores, according to film industry sources.

Pitt was due to star in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo, but the project has been becalmed for some time following the departure of director David Fincher.

But Walt Disney Studios has asked for the $20 million-plus incentive awarded to that film by the federal government to be applied to another project, according to IF magazine.

The trade magazine suggested that film is Pirates of the Caribbean 5, which Disney has dated for July 7, 2017.

Geoffrey Rush is also attached to Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales alongside Christoph Waltz and Jack Davenport.

EARLIER: Brad Pitt headed Down Under to film 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

Disney’s pitch to the government surfaced last week when the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance wrote to Arts Minister Senator George Brandis in support of Disney’s request, IF reported.

A spokesman for Brandis today confirmed that the government was currently “in discussions with Disney on possible productions it may wish to film in Australia.”

But she declined to go into any detail on the basis that the talks were “commercial in confidence.”