Sam Claflin Got To Hang Out With Johnny Depp On Pirates Of The Caribbean. Why He Looks Back With Regret

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Sam Claflin has built a successful career in Hollywood over the last 15 years, starring in popular projects like Hunger Games as Finnick Odair, Peaky Blinders, and Daisy Jones & The Six. But the beginning of his career was particularly unique. His very first film role was in the 2011 movie Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides alongside Johnny Depp, an experience he remembers fondly, though he does have a few regrets about it.

Sam Claflin recently shared what it was like to be in a Pirates of the Caribbean film when he was just 25 years old, during an interview on Radio Andy.

I definitely struggled with feeling like a fraud throughout most of that film project. That experience really pushed me to try and prove myself, take everything seriously, and prioritize making everyone else happy, sometimes to an extreme degree.

It’s hard to believe Sam Claflin went directly from his studies at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts to appearing in a major film alongside a Hollywood star and as part of the huge Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. While we were enjoying the sequel, Claflin was actually facing some difficulties personally. He explained:

I recall meeting with the writers, and they asked if I had any thoughts on developing the character further. I told them everything they’d done was great. I didn’t want to come across as critical or offend anyone, and I wanted to be collaborative. I essentially said I’d do whatever they needed, but looking back, I realize I was taking myself too seriously, being a recent drama school graduate.

It was great that the directors of On Stranger Tides asked the young actor for his input on how to play the part. But at that point, Claflin lacked the confidence to share his ideas and fully commit to the role.

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It’s understandable why he’d feel that way. Many people would likely react similarly if presented with such a fantastic opportunity early in their career. Interestingly, Sam Claflin is reportedly joining forces with Johnny Depp again in director Ti West’s new film adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which is scheduled for release later this year. Claflin shared more details about his time working on the Pirates films, saying:

Someone recently asked me to reflect on my early career, and I realized my biggest regret is not enjoying it more. I was working on a truly magical project – we filmed in Hawaii with a fantastic cast and crew, on pirate ships and in jungles! But I put so much pressure on myself to succeed that I think I got too caught up in the stress and didn’t fully appreciate how amazing it was. Don’t get me wrong, it was a magical experience, but I wish I’d relaxed and had more fun.

Working on On Stranger Tides was honestly one of the most surreal and dreamlike experiences of my career so far. Looking back, I do wish I hadn’t put so much pressure on myself, but hey, you learn as you go, right? It was an incredible learning experience being on such a huge set, surrounded by legends like Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, and Geoffrey Rush. It really was something special.

On Stranger Tides was the fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and marked the first time Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley didn’t appear as Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann. The movie introduced new characters, including Sam Claflin as a captured missionary forced to work with Blackbeard and his zombie crew.

Following On Stranger Tides, another Pirates of the Caribbean film was released six years later, but Disney ultimately stopped making them. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has often discussed trying to bring the series back – although a potential movie starring Margot Robbie was cancelled. Sam Claflin has expressed interest in reprising his role, but the future of the Pirates films, which began as a Disneyland attraction, remains uncertain.

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2026-01-29 00:41