Kon-Tiki filmmakers Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning are in negotiations to direct Pirates of the Caribbean 5. We reported earlier this month that the directors were among the front runners for the job, along with Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) and Fredrik Bond (The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman).

Johnny Depp is returning as Captain Jack Sparrow, although no other cast members have been confirmed yet. Both Johnny Depp and producer Jerry Bruckheimer signed off on the directing duo, with a deal to be finalized quickly, so that the filmmakers can get preparations under way for a January 2014 start of principal photography.

Jeff Nathanson (Men in Black 3, Tower Heist) wrote the screenplay, but no story details have been confirmed at this time.

Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning received an Oscar nomination earlier this year for their critically-acclaimed drama Kon-Tiki. They have also directed Max Manus and Bandidas, which starred Salma Hayek, Steve Zahn, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides star Penélope Cruz.