'Pirates' sequel stirs up cannibal controversy

Posted Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 2:32 PM Central

by John Couture

While most of the plot of The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is still tightly under wraps, one scene is striking a sour note with some Caribbean locals. Chief Charles Williams, head of the Carib people on the island of Dominica, is protesting the high-profile Disney sequel because it allegedly makes reference to the historically inaccurate view that his ancestors were cannibals.

The scene in question results in Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow being roasted over a spit like a "human shish kabob." Even though Williams protested the film before production began, over 400 native islanders are involved either as crew or as extras.

Disney issued a brief statement concerning the uproar.

"The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest is an action-packed adventure full of comedy, romance, and fantasy all born out of the imaginative minds of our writers. While we cannot give away any plot points, any island and tribe depicted in the film are purely fictitious and there is no reference to any particular actual people or group."