Just a few minutes ago I was sitting in Hall H at Comic-Con watching the Disney Tron: Legacy panel (here's a write-up).  Just when I thought it was over, Disney showed us a pre-taped video featuring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. In the 3D message, Depp talked about the plot of the 4th Pirates movie (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) and he mentioned the Fountain of Youth, zombies, mermaids and Penelope Cruz.  While Disney has been very secretive about the plot until today, the studio just sent out a press release which is as close to a synopsis as we've been given. Here's the one liner:

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth when a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz) forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane).

Hit the jump for the full cast list and a more detailed synopsis:

pirates_of_the_caribbean_at_worlds_end_poster

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES (In Disney Digital 3D)

Genre:                                      Comedy-Adventure

Rating:                                      TBD

U.S. Release Date:                    May 20, 2011

Cast:                                        Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane, Kevin R. McNally, Astrid Berges-Frisbey and Sam Claflin

Director:                                   Rob Marshall

Producer:                                  Jerry Bruckheimer

Executive Producers:                Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Barry Waldman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, John

DeLuca

Writers:                                     Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise.  When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more:  Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa, and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.  In theaters Memorial Day weekend, 2011.

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth when a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz) forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane).