For years now, Disney fans have waited—some eagerly, some skeptically—for any real movement on Pirates of the Caribbean 6.Every few months, new rumors surface about possible reboots, legacy sequels, or character returns. One minute it’s Margot Robbie leading a spin-off. The next, it’s whispers of Orlando Bloom sailing back into action. And through it all, the elephant in the room has always been Johnny Depp—specifically, whether the studio would ever bring him back as Captain Jack Sparrow.But while fans are stuck on what’s next for Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney may have already found its next big ride-based franchise. And it doesn’t need a pirate ship, cursed treasure, or even Jack Sparrow.Credit: DisneyIt just needs an elevator that drops.Scarlett Johansson’s Tower of Terror Movie Is Quietly Gaining SteamHere’s where it gets interesting: Scarlett Johansson is producing and starring in a movie adaptation of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, one of Disney’s most beloved attractions. While the ride’s lore is a little on the mysterious side (intentionally), it’s got all the ingredients of a great movie—creepy atmosphere, vintage Hollywood setting, and supernatural intrigue. And if there’s one star who knows how to bring charisma and complexity to an action-horror hybrid, it’s Johansson.According to ScreenRant, this Tower of Terror film could actually serve as the perfect replacement for Pirates 6. Not because it’ll copy it—but because it offers a fresh, exciting direction for Disney’s theme park movie universe without the baggage.Let’s face it—Pirates of the Caribbean might be legendary, but it’s been weighed down lately. The last two films weren’t exactly fan favorites. Add in Johnny Depp’s legal controversies and fan backlash in every direction, and suddenly Pirates 6 doesn’t look like a slam-dunk anymore. It looks like a headache.Credit: MarvelDisney’s History of Ride-to-Film AdaptationsThe Mouse House has never been shy about turning theme park rides into blockbusters. Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) kicked it off in spectacular fashion, turning an animatronic boat ride into a billion-dollar franchise. Since then, Disney’s tried again and again—some with success (Jungle Cruise in 2021), some with mixed results (Haunted Mansion in 2003… and 2023).Tower of Terror has already had one movie attempt, a 1997 made-for-TV flick starring Steve Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst. It’s got cult status, sure, but nothing close to what Johansson could deliver with a theatrical reboot. With Taika Waititi reportedly on board to direct, and the eerie ambiance of The Twilight Zone to draw from, this project could launch a brand-new franchise.Why It Could Be Bigger Than Pirates of the Caribbean 6When you step back, Tower of Terror actually has one major advantage: it’s not weighed down by expectations. Pirates of the Caribbean 6 can’t exist without comparisons to the original trilogy—or without people asking “Where’s Jack Sparrow?” every five minutes. That’s a tough act to follow, no matter how good the script is.But Tower of Terror? It’s a blank slate. And that makes it a lot more exciting right now. Johansson even called it a “blue sky” project, meaning it’s still taking shape creatively. That might sound like a delay, but it’s also a sign of how much care and originality is going into it. She isn’t rushing to crank out a sequel just to cash in—she’s building something new.Credit: DisneyFinal Thoughts: Is This the Franchise Shift Disney Needs?Here’s the twist nobody saw coming: Scarlett Johansson might not be playing a pirate, but she could end up captaining Disney’s next great adventure series. If Tower of Terror takes off, don’t be surprised if Disney slowly shifts its focus from open seas to haunted hotels.While Depp fans hold out hope and legacy sequel rumors swirl, Disney might already have their future franchise queen. And this time, she’s arriving by elevator—not ship.The post Scarlett Johansson Pegged as Disney’s Replacement for Captain Jack Sparrow appeared first on Inside the Magic.