"Pirates" sequel third-biggest film of all time
Sat Sep 9, 2006 6:51 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The swashbuckler epic "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" has become the third film to pass $1 billion at the worldwide box office, distributor Walt Disney Co. said on Saturday.

The film starring Johnny Depp had sold $1.003 billion worth of tickets as of Friday, the company said in a statement. But it was unlikely to climb any higher up the rankings.

"Titanic," released in 1997, holds the record with $1.8 billion, followed by 2003's "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" with $1.1 billion.

"Pirates," which has ruled the foreign box office for the last nine weekends, enters its final major market, Italy, on Wednesday. The first film, 2003's "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," earned $21 million there, and $656 million worldwide.

All told, the sequel has earned $415.1 million in North America, and $587.5 million internationally, the No. 1 film of the year by both measures.

A third film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," is shooting in Los Angeles with plans for release next May.

Key cast members including Depp, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom are returning. Additionally, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has just flown in to shoot a cameo role, a source close to the set said.

Richards, on whom Depp modeled his flamboyant character, Captain Jack Sparrow, has long been asked by producers to play Sparrow's father. The source declined to say what role Richards was playing.