The "Pirates of the Caribbean" reboot has been rocked. "Deadpool" writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have left the project, sources tell Deadline.

The two were reportedly hired for the "Pirates" franchise in October, following the success of 2016's "Deadpool" and its 2018 sequel. At the time, Disney Production President Sean Bailey was very optimistic about the future of the franchise with the duo on board, according to Deadline's sources. Now, however, the project will either need new writers or perhaps may never launch at all. Disney has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Disney has ample reason to want to keep the franchise going. The first "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, "The Curse of the Black Pearl," hit theaters in July 2003 to huge box office success. It grossed more than $654.26 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing movie of the year. Its four sequels went on to earn even more in ticket sales, with two -- 2006's "Dead Man's Chest" and 2011's "On Stranger Tides" -- each crossing the $1 billion-mark.

Moving forward, we'll have to see what happens to the franchise and whether or not it can stay afloat.

[via: Deadline]