MUMBAI: The makers of Pirates of Caribbean, a popular film franchise, have already started working on the next two sequels of the series.

Both the fantasy-adventure genre films will be shot back-to-back and will see the return of Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz.

It is believed that four months before the release, Terry Rossio washired to write the script and Rob Marshall, who brought the last oneto the screen, was offered the chance to direct again. But if hedoesn’t take it up, there is a list of potential directors that Disneyhas in mind.

Alice in Wonderland director Tim Burton, who was the original choice for the fourth film, had turned it down. He is Disney’s dream choice for the next Pirates of Caribbean.

Burton is known to be close friends with Depp. Burton and Disney have given a number of successes together including The Nightmare Before Christmas and, most recently, Alice in Wonderland.

Other probable candidates on the list are: Shawn Levy, who has directed Just Married, Cheaper by the Dozen and Night at the Museum series; Sam Raini of Drag Me To Hell fame who is currently doing Oz: The Great and Powerful for Disney.

The list also has Chriz Weitz who directed The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Golden Compass and Alfonso Cuaron, who directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.