Verbinski won't helm next 'Pirates'

LOS ANGELES, April 8 (UPI) -- U.S. film director Gore Verbinski has told Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer that he's not on board for a planned fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" flick.

Verbinski steered the first three movies to $2.6 billion at the worldwide box office.

However, the filmmaker has announced he won't head up the fourth, which is in development and could hit theaters next year with Johnny Depp returning in his popular role of Captain Jack Sparrow, Variety.com said, adding that the next "Pirates" adventure hasn't yet been greenlit.

"I had a fantastic time bringing 'Pirates' to life, and I am eternally grateful to Jerry, Johnny and the rest of the creative and production team," Verbinski told Variety. "I'm looking forward to all of us crossing paths again in the future."

Verbinski has signed on to direct "Bioshock," a big-screen adaptation of the video game, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.