'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides': Johnny Depp Reveals On-Set Injury

It seems like second nature to Johnny Depp, all Jack Sparrow's mix of charm and swashbuckling shenanigans, but in the newest "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, the star had to up his acting game. Otherwise, he may have started crying on camera.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Depp, working overtime to promote "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," spoke about the film's production, and the "monstrous" injury that first wore him down, and then, became a part of him.

"I must have done something to my back during a stunt and ended up with this bad sciatic situation. It was this horrible, grinding electricity going through me," Depp explained. "I kept shooting; there was no choice. I'd just limp on set. It was monstrous, man -- so horrible that I actually started to like it! It was bad, and I had it a good three weeks to a month. But I got used to it and kind of missed it when it was gone."

Undeterred, Depp says he'd be up for more "Pirates" films, though he thinks there should be space between the fourth and fifth -- something not afforded during the back-to-back-to-back production of the first three films.

The tightness of writing and filming the first three films is an issue Depp has spoken of a lot lately; he's promised a less complicated fourth chapter in the series, without all the arduous machinations of its predecessors.

“They had to invent a trilogy out of nowhere,” he told Entertainment Weekly of the first three films. “It was plot driven and complicated. I remember talking to [Gore Verbinski, director of the first three films] at certain points during production of 2 or 3, and saying: ‘I don’t really know what this means.’ He said, ‘Neither do I, but let’s just shoot it.’ This guy is this guy’s dad, and this guy was in love with this broad. It was like, ‘What?’”

For much more from Depp, click over to The Hollywood Reporter. And, check out two adventure-packed clips from the newest "Pirates".

WATCH:

For two more clips, click over to HitFix.com.

Comments

[bibapunjabi]

01:10 AM on 05/19/2011

I am really Excited to watch Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Online , this movie is so popular with 4th part,

http://www.moviefunia.com/download-pirates-of-the-caribbean-4-on-stranger-tides.html

[Seven Teenatheart]

12:47 PM on 05/09/2011

Here's hoping that he's feeling better soon.

Mr. Depp seemed like a really nice person at the premiere, signing autographs/seeming friendly along the way. Although when he got close (we were along Main St. at Disney that evening) a bunch of crazed women trampled my kid and we weren't able to get him an autograph. That was a bit of a downer - but maybe next time.

[Morgantheaxe]

10:51 PM on 05/08/2011

Nobody and I mean nobody who has had a serious back injurty misses them when they are gone. That's why we folks who have had them are never ever allowed to serve on a personal injury jury.

[stargazer13]

10:56 AM on 05/09/2011

that is so unfair and discriminatory if you ask me !!

[MiraMcB]

11:21 AM on 05/09/2011

Haha! I had the same reaction when I read that. He missed it? I have had a chronically tricky back since teenage years. A few years ago, I did gawd knows what to it and was unable to stand up and get above a right angle position for a week. It was nauseating and excrutiating, by turns. I DID NOT miss it when it was finally gone and I was again able to straighten up, reasonably pain-free.

[BlackYowe]

10:38 PM on 05/08/2011

I live with horrible back pain every day. Welcome to getting old Johnny!

[gettymuse]

06:46 PM on 05/08/2011

I think he's milked this role for all it's worth, and I mean even the ride at Disney only lasts 30 minutes and we all still remember it as the best ride next to Space Mountain. Some think it is better.

[Amber Berglund]

10:04 PM on 05/08/2011

The ride at Disney land lasts 30 minutes?! Really? I don't remember the actual ride lasting that long. Standing in the line to get onto the ride...maybe...but the ride? I thought it only lasted like, 8-10 minutes (if that)...now "It's a Small World"...that ride may be a full 30 minutes...maybe longer...felt like the entire summer (and part of the fall.)

[django707]

06:59 PM on 05/09/2011

I sat through the original "It's a Small World" ride as a twelve year old and I believe this was the point that the ship known as my life lost it's rudder.

[gettymuse]

03:54 PM on 05/11/2011

Exqueeze me, bqking powder, but the ride includes the tour in the space station that takes about 20 minutes and the ride itself is maybe three minutes. The waiting even when it runs smoothly to climb the mountain takes at least 10 minutes and then you have to walk down. I've been to it several times as a child. It is a ride I'd like to hide inside of until the park closes and live there. So what's your point?

[DrJimmy]

07:43 AM on 05/09/2011

Clueless

[gettymuse]

04:02 PM on 05/11/2011

Dr. Jimmy, I just briefly scanned down your latest posts to other bloggers, and you are a real downer dude. So negative. What's the matter with you? Would you like to talk about your inability to see the glass half full, or do you not have a shred of compassion to say about anything? Try to say something someone will actually feel good about. It's not hard,-to make friends that is.

[Basselope]

04:01 PM on 05/08/2011

The last one was so horrible, I think I will wait for this one to hit HBO.

[aa1111x]

04:48 PM on 05/08/2011

agreed, though for i did like the second one :)

[Edy Williams]

03:48 PM on 05/08/2011

Ryan Gosling is fascinating to see all this versatlity he displays for our enjoyment. A true talent here. Eager to see the new film. Maybe his ideas come from his trips to Disneyland?

[ls1z28chris]

01:03 PM on 05/08/2011

The fact that Depp is still acting is proof that the injury wasn't horrible and debilitating enough. HACK.

[dblueII]

05:22 PM on 05/09/2011

Enough for what, for some ignoramus to make up conclusions based on they're predetermined position. Yeah, enough for that, not much else though.

[playsindirt]

11:57 AM on 05/08/2011

He's a great actor but he's going the way of DeNiro. He made some serious films early in his career and then decided he'd rather get $20 million per picture and make silly stuff that's big box office. I mean, when you were watching "Raging Bull" or "Deerhunter" or "Taxi Driver" did you think DeNiro would end up doing a film like "Meet the Fockers". Nope. Once Depp established himself as a great actor he decided cash was king. The guy owns several islands, for pete's sake.

[RJB Boston]

12:47 PM on 05/08/2011

dunno but i think his pirates performances are pretty good. for a movie to be good it doesnt have to have a dark theme

[Your Wrong Dad]

12:57 PM on 05/08/2011

I would have to second that Depp is Brilliant as Jack Sparrow!

[Flying Sparkz1]

01:32 PM on 05/08/2011

Jack Sparrow rocks! We've got to have some fun once in while.

[Lisa Sarinelli]

03:00 PM on 05/08/2011

Only one island....

[playsindirt]

10:59 AM on 05/09/2011

Two near Nassau in the Exumas. They are 35 and 120 acres, respectively. The larger he owns secretly. For a time on Google Earth it was simply called "Johnny Depp's Island". And, yes, I know too much about this!

[Your Wrong Dad]

12:59 PM on 05/08/2011

If you feel that way why go out of the way to be negative? Focus on the things and people you do like! Good luck!

[ls1z28chris]

01:04 PM on 05/08/2011

I like pointing out how much Depp sucks. He plays the same character in every single movie. He and Burton are hacks.

[Jim Fourniadis]

02:02 PM on 05/08/2011

It's nice to see such a well reasoned opinion.

[MarkInTexas]

10:04 AM on 05/08/2011

If he's missing severe back pain, maybe he needs to get out more. Life as a star must be pretty boring.

[Joe Todd]

09:56 AM on 05/08/2011

I think Depp is so over-rated. Do not see his appeal.

[TylerSutherland]

09:10 PM on 05/08/2011

I think you're so into yourself. Do not see your self-delusion.

[bynddrvn5]

08:19 AM on 05/08/2011

How many of these Pirates movies are they going to make?

Johnny Depp is just along for the ride, why not?

[Your Wrong Dad]

01:04 PM on 05/08/2011

Prolly six like Star Wars would be my guess.

[dblueII]

01:49 PM on 05/08/2011

He made 75 million dollars last year. How many would you make?

[Muzzle Me]

08:02 AM on 05/08/2011

Depp asked at one point in filming: "what does this mean"?? He must have never watched the show Lost. But, oh how I miss that show.

[emjay]

11:25 AM on 05/09/2011

Ha! Two of my most favorite things in the same post. Depp and LOST.

Thank you.

[cabrobst]

07:48 AM on 05/08/2011

Johnny's getting old.

[rini]

09:27 AM on 05/08/2011

Yeah, sciatica is not exactly a young person's problem. I was expecting some gaping wound or something. Why do I even read these stories? I should know Huffpo better by now.

[deltalady]

11:51 AM on 05/08/2011

I don't care.....I'm sure he won't have any trouble finding someone to kiss his "boo boo"...ah, to be young again!