(Cover) - EN Movies - Rob Marshall says being asked to direct the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie by Johnny Depp was the thrill of his life.

Johnny reprises his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in On Stranger Tides, the fourth movie in the franchise. The first three were helmed by Gore Verbinski, but this time round Rob took the reins.

The latest instalment is a standalone film following the initial trilogy and Johnny and producer Jerry Bruckheimer thought Rob was perfectly placed to direct it.

I was asked, which was the lovely thing, by Jerry Bruckheimer and Johnny Depp. For me, the chance to work with Johnny was the thrill of my life so to be asked by him was extraordinary, Rob told Cover Media.

Ive always wanted to do an action adventure piece for families and as a director I like to change it up and do different things. Its your life, many years of your life, close to two years. For me, I like to try different things in different genres.

As much as the subject matter excited Rob, teaming with Jerry and Johnny was the real draw. He is a huge fan of Jerrys work the producer has worked on all the Pirates movies, as well as releases including Gone in Sixty Seconds, Top Gun and Flashdance.

Working with Jerry was exquisite. Hes an iconic producer and theres a reason why hes the best there is, he enthused. Johnny is unbelievable in every way. As a collaborator, as a person, theres no one like him, so to have that opportunity was huge.

Jerry was equally as enthusiastic about getting Rob on board. He thinks the new movie will win a host of new fans because of the directors work, which he has the highest regard for.

I think part of the success of this film is that we got the very talented Rob Marshall to work with us. It was a real coup to ask him and he accepted to join the party, he explained. He added his own twist to the story and the characters and also made it his own, the series had completed and he started a new one and did an amazing job doing it.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is released in the UK on May 18. (C) Cover Media