New 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Film Set for Summer 2011

Johnny Depp sailed onto the stage at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., dressed as his popular Capt. Jack Sparrow character on Friday, leading the way for an announcement of a fourth movie in his hit franchise.

Walt Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook told 5,000 fans at the Anaheim Convention Center that "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" will be in theaters in summer 2011.

"On Stranger Tides" is the title of a book by Tim Powers about a puppeteer who becomes a pirate and must take on Blackbeard to save his lady.

Fans welcomed Depp with a standing ovation. The actor chatted jokingly in character about wanting to eat Kermit the Frog and expressed desire for rum.

As he announced the new Disney movie and other films, Cook also mentioned that Depp will play the character Tonto in "The Lone Ranger" in a big-screen adaption.

Production of the new pirate film will begin in spring 2010.

Disney's expo lasts through Sunday.

Sources: Associated Press, Screen Crave