Where’s Johnny? Pirates of the Caribbean set takes shape ahead of fifth movie

AERIAL IMAGES: Johnny Depp is the multi-millionaire star standing to swashbuckle us once more, but it looks like the extras are doing all the hard labour judging from these shots of the Gold Coast set.

British redcoats, presumably dinking tea, wait for the call-up off-camera. Picture: Scott Fletcher

SOME of the world’s biggest stars have started gathering on the Gold Coast before shooting begins on the fifth instalment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Johnny Depp, aka Captain Jack Sparrow, jetted into the country on Monday for what’s set to be the most expensive and biggest film ever shot in Australia.

But as we can see from these amazing aerial images, work has been going on for months preparing the set - and some scenes are already being captured for the movie.

Trucks and vans loaded with equipment lined up at the back of the Pirates set. Picture Glenn Hampson.

A courtyard emerges as the half-built set takes shape. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Thatched houses suggest an English village is coming to life. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Extras dressed in period costume transport plastic chairs to the centre of the set. Picture by Scott Fletcher

A union jack flies and washing dries. Picture: Scott Fletcher

British redcoats, presumably dinking tea, wait for the call-up off-camera. Picture: Scott Fletcher

Spanish actor Javier Bardem, who will play the villain, Captain Salazar, and is best known as the other half of Penelope Cruz, is due to arrive within days.

The film, which is expected to cost $250 million to shoot and received $21.6m in federal funding, is being directed by Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning.

At Village Roadshow Studios, a medieval town has sprung up ten minutes from the Queensland beach, with palm trees suggesting some scenes for the Caribbean and thatched roofs and dirt streets hinting that a British village will also be represented.

In dry dock: The construction of the ships direct from containers gives a clue as the scale of planning required for Pirates of the Carribean 5 are still being built. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Is this the Black Pearl under way? Picture Glenn Hampson.

And the shell of a smaller craft. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The most high profile name set to appear on the popular flick is veteran Aussie actor, Geoffrey Rush, who will reprise his role of Captain Barbossa.

The other Australian set to make an appearance is up and comer, Brenton Thwaites, who will play Henry, a British soldier.

Horses are assembled in formation behind the scenes. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

A stagecoach driver rides on to the set. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The film crew prepare for a scene. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Under cover: Producers and special effects teams make the magic happen. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Johnny Depp gets nautical in Brisbane as he poses with a barber who trimmed his hair and beard. Picture: Instagram.

Originally published as Where’s Johnny? Pirates of the Caribbean set takes shape ahead of fifth movie