FANS of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise were mostly disappointed to find out that Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley chose not to reprise their roles for the fourth instalment of the series. But luckily, they’re in for a surprise.

A new cast member has been revealed — French actress Astrid Berges Frisbey.

The actress was personally cast by producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Bob Marshal for POTC: On Stranger Tides, paying the tole of Syrena, a beautiful and alluring mermaid. Relatively unknown outside of her native country, the rising star has starred in such films as La Fille du Puisatier and Bruc. Pirates will be her foray into American cinema.

Astrid will join Johnny Depp reprising his role as the infamous Jack Sparrow, Ian McShane as Blackbeard and Penelope Cruz as Blackbeard’s daughter.

According to SlashFilm.com, the plot of the fourth movie will be based on Tim Powers’ The Stranger Tide, focusing on Blackbeard and the Fountain of Youth. The movie will begin filming in June on location in Hawaii, London, and Los Angeles with a tentative release date of Summer 2011.

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