AceShowbiz - Prime Video recently launched its ambitious new film, The Bluff, aiming to spark a fresh franchise in the swashbuckling genre. This move arrives at a time when no successful pirate-themed movie franchise has emerged since the troubled run of Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean series, which has been stuck in development limbo for years.

Disney has made several attempts to reboot the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise over the years, but those efforts have stalled. Depp’s personal controversies led the studio to distance itself from the actor, and although Margot Robbie was rumored to be in talks for a female-led reboot, that project never gained traction. In contrast, Prime Video appears to have taken an early lead with The Bluff, starring Amazon favorites Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban.

The release of The Bluff has coincided with a resurgence in popularity for a related four-season pirate series that ended nearly a decade ago. The show, which premiered in 2014 and concluded in 2017, features historical pirate figures brought to life by actors such as Toby Stephens, Tom Hopper, and the late Ray Stevenson, who portrayed the legendary pirate Blackbeard during the third and fourth seasons.

Created by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine, and executive produced by Michael Bay, Black Sails was widely praised for its storytelling and technical achievements throughout its run. The series holds an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting mostly positive critical reception.

The show serves as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, "Treasure Island," setting the stage for the characters and events that follow. Recently, data from FlixPatrol indicated that Black Sails ranked among the most-watched shows on domestic iTunes charts, trailing only another popular Starz series, Spartacus.

While Black Sails enjoys renewed attention, The Bluff has received more mixed reviews. Directed by Frank E. Flowers, the movie currently holds a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also features Temuera Morrison, known for his role in The Book of Boba Fett, in a supporting role. Since its release on February 25, The Bluff has consistently topped Prime Video’s global charts, signaling strong viewer interest despite critical reservations.

Meanwhile, Disney is reportedly considering bringing Johnny Depp back to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise after its dormancy following the commercial disappointment of its fifth film installment in 2017. This development adds an intriguing dimension to the current landscape of pirate-themed entertainment.

Fans can stream The Bluff on Prime Video, while Black Sails remains available across various Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) platforms. As the battle for pirate supremacy continues, audiences seem ready to embrace both the new and the nostalgic.

Stay tuned to Collider for ongoing coverage and updates on these evolving franchises and the broader streaming competition.