Welcome to the summer blockbuster business. More often than not, films that get the worst reviews often make the most money. Take Rob Marshall‘s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides for example. He, along with producer Jerry Bruckheimer made a flat-out boring film, a much worse proposition than a “truly terrible” blockbuster alongside the likes of The Last Airbender. Despite poor reviews, the film has already made nearly $650 million at the worldwide box office, so you can bet your sweet pirate booty, that we are going to get 5th, 6th, 7th, etc. films as planned.

Cinema Blend now gives us the first batch of rumored directors for the next iteration, and thankfully Rob Marshall is nowhere to be seen. Although Johnny Depp nor Marshall are signed to a fifth film, Disney wants their director back, but the two plan to do Thin Man remake together. This gets in the way of Disney locking them down for Pirates 5. With an offer out to Marshall, Disney is still on the lookout for other possibilities. And their first choice? Depp’s most trusted ally.

That’s right, Tim Burton is reportedly their top choice to direct a fifth film. Also on the list is Sam Raimi, who is wrapped up with Oz: The Great and Powerful until late 2012. Then, there is Shawn Levy, who directed the Night at the Museum films and has Real Steel this fall. Rounding out the list is Chris Weitz, who launched The Golden Compass franchise, and then Alfonso Cuaron, the oddest rumored choice. The latter director could be interested in getting back to franchise films after doing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Since making Children of Men, it’s been a long struggle to get his original sci-fi film Gravity off the ground. I don’t see him taking the job, but it could be an easy paycheck for the most talented man on this shortlist.

Most importantly, I think many would agree, that continuing this series would be a giant creative waste of time for everyone involved, filmmakers and audiences alike. Then again, when your film takes in that much money, I don’t think that factor is on anyone’s mind, unfortunately.

For the few that want to see a fifth Pirates film, who should direct it?