Keith Richards for Pirates Of The Caribbean

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has officially signed on to play Johnny Depp's father in the third and final installment of The Pirates Of The Caribbean trilogy. Depp has gone on record saying that he based his character, Capt. Jack Sparrow, in part on the guitarists' legendary regal, yet elegantly wasted demeanor. Filming is set to resume on the film, which is two thirds completed, in August. The still-unnamed final installment is due out next year. The second installment of the trilogy, titled Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, will open nationally on July 7th.

Director Gore Verbinski told ABC News that, "It was actually Johnny's idea to put Keith in the film... we've kind of written a little cameo, and Keith has been kind enough to schedule us into his tour and it's going to be a lot of fun... it's a small part, but it's a fantastic part, and I can't really discuss it, other than that."

Last year, Johnny Depp told us that he was hoping to get Richards on board for one of the film's sequels: "I've talked to Keith about it and he's been super sweet and keen to do it. It's looking very good. It's just hoping that we can work out the dates with the Stones tour and everything. But, boy, if that happens, you talk about a dream come true. Get to be a pirate with Keith Richards?".

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer joked to the Chicago Sun-Times that, "As long as Keith doesn't fall out of any more trees, it will be fine." Last month, the guitarist underwent brain surgery after falling from a palm tree while on vacation in Fiji, resulting in the Rolling Stones postponing their European tour.

The Rolling Stones kick off their rescheduled European tour on July 11th in Milan.
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