One way to save money: Instead of horses, donkeys on stilts. Also, instead of Johnny Depp, Skeet Ulrich!

Yeah, but THIS comic book adaptation is being produced by Johnny Depp, the sexiest producer alive.

He’s Hollywood’s highest paid actor according to Forbes. In related news, there was already some money in the dryer when I used it today.

Wow. This movie just grabbed a whole bunch of respect with these casting choices. Touche, Disney.

It sounds as though, based on these selections, we are beginning to see the resurrection of “weirdo Johnny Depp.” Welcome back, old friend.

He’s probably totally in the familiar artistic struggle of doing something new and original versus making $100 million.

That’s a lot of booty? Sorry.

And it’s sometime next year.

Which director will Disney set sail with? Hey, that pun kinda works with the visual themes of the movie. Great.

But don’t get him wrong. He’s still a fan of silly glasses.

Should have opened on Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Here are your weekend links.

Think you know a thing or two about pirates in film? Prove it, ye grog-snarfing swabbie!

He didn’t ask to be Jack Sparrow.

Namey Award winner Armie Hammer, who doubled your Winkelvoss in ‘The Social Network’, is officially confirmed to star in ‘The Lone Ranger’ as… the masked guy.

Offers an easily digestible myth with a clear set of rules.

Three Warner Bros movies got release dates, so mark your calendars for ‘Dark Shadows’, ‘Rivals’ and ‘Journey 2′. Or just let their incessant marketing campaigns remind you.

Hopefully he can make alcoholism funny again.

It’s Armie Hammer O’Clock.

Pirate battles, killer mermaids, fireballs coming right at you. Fast cuts between those elements. Shiver all your timbers, it’s another ‘On Stranger Tides’ preview.

Is he aware that Channing Tatum is starring?

The pair trade in light discs for black magic in ‘Rex Mundi’.