Fourth Pirates 'in development'

A fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was among a raft of projects unveiled by the Disney studio at a Hollywood showcase this week.

If realised, Johnny Depp will reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

The actor will also appear as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's 3D film of Alice in Wonderland, and as Tonto in a big-screen remake of The Lone Ranger.

Other titles unveiled at the event, held at Los Angeles's Kodak Theater, include animated Pixar sequel Cars 2.

Jim Carrey is also set to play seven characters in a computer-animated version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

The movie will use motion-capture technology similar to that seen in Beowulf, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Polar Express.

Groundbreaking

In other casting news, talk show host Oprah Winfrey will voice a character in The Princess and the Frog, a hand-drawn animated movie set in New Orleans.

Set for release in December 2009, it will feature an African-American heroine played by Dreamgirls star Anika Noni Rose.

An audience of industry movers and shakers were treated to a snippet of Tron 2, a belated sequel to Disney's groundbreaking 1982 adventure.

They were also shown the studio's forthcoming cartoon feature Bolt, about a dog who believes he has super powers.

Miley Cyrus, Robin Williams, John Travolta and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson were among the stars on hand to talk up future projects.

Chairman Dick Cook also revealed Disney would release five 3D films next year, more than any other studio.

Little Britain actor Matt Lucas will play Tweedledee and Tweedledum in Alice in Wonderland, set for release in 2010.

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