The Summer 2011 Clusterf**k (September 27th 2008)
'Zephyr' here with a quick, but very interesting, release date update:
The recent Disney Showcase confirmed that not only does "Pirates of the Caribbean 4" have the greenlight, but Johnny Depp will be returning to the titular role of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Now it seems Disney has scheduled the film for May 20th 2011 - the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend and two weeks after Marvel Studios' "The First Avenger: Captain America".
However, there is significant doubt over this release date. There appears to be new screenplay in the works and Gore Verbinski is not confirmed to direct and is already attached to both "Rango" due for March 2011, and the video game adaptation "Bioshock".
As well, May 2011 not only has the previously mentioned Captain America, but Spider-Man 4 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II as well. It is very doubtful that Disney would scheduled their picture to go up against either of those films on Memorial Day Weekend.
However, if this release date pans out, then Disney would force either Sony or Warner Bros. to move their respective films to less saturated months.
I see it playing out like so; or rather, if these films are coming out Summer 2011, the only way it COULD work out:
May 6th - The First Avenger: Captain America
May 20th - Pirates of the Caribbean 4
May 27th - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II
June 3rd - Kung Fu Panda 2
June 10th - Spider-Man 4
June 24th - Cars 2
July 1st - The Avengers
July 15th - Batman Begins 3