The latest rumor hitting the high seas -- MTV UK reports that Zac Efron has signed on to star in Pirates of the Caribbean 4, for the prime sum of 6 million pounds -- a deal that would also glue him to another HSM sequel. But rumor control is already in the works. MTV, stateside, reports that this all came from The National Enquirer, and that there's no truth to the story. They talked to Efron, who says the rumors aren't true, although he'd definitely be interested. Gee, ya think?

Whoever cooked up this rumor at least thought it out -- Zac might not be interested in more HSM, but I bet he'd agree to more for the chance to star in a huge Disney feature that reaches beyond the teen girls and allows him to act alongside Depp. And from the studio's side, Sparrow's last male rival couldn't hold a torch to Johnny, so I wouldn't be surprised if Disney did it again.

Orlando Bloom might have been one heck of a Legolas, but I just hated him in Pirates. His charisma, or lack thereof, was no match for Depp, and to give Johnny another star that can't give him a run for his money ... that would be a shame. This franchise's best bet: focus on Sparrow with a few co-stars who can rival Depp's charisma and chemistry. Any suggestions?

Zac Efron Photos

    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: Actor Zac Efron attends US Weekly's Hot Hollywood Issue celebration at Skylight on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: (U.S. TABS OUT) (L-R) Actors Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, MTV VJ Carlos Santos Corbin Bleu, Ashley Tisdale and Monique Coleman visit MTV's "Mi TRL" at MTV Studios in Times Square on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: (U.S. TABS OUT) Actors Corbin Bleu, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron visit MTV's "Mi TRL" at MTV Studios in Times Square on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: (U.S. TABS OUT) Actors Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens visit MTV's "Mi TRL" at MTV Studios in Times Square on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: (U.S. TABS OUT) Actors Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens visit MTV's "Mi TRL" at MTV Studios in Times Square on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: (U.S. TABS OUT) Actors Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens visit MTV's "Mi TRL" at MTV Studios in Times Square on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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    Cast member Zac Efron from the movie "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" poses for a portrait in Los Angeles October 12, 2008. Efron says he wasn't much into sports at school, had to be dragged to his senior prom and was really a bit of a goofball. So becoming a global "tween" idol by playing a basketball star who wins the heart of the prettiest girl in school in the blockbusting "High School Musical" series has been a shock. Picture taken October 12, 2008. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: (U.S. TABS OUT) Actors Corbin Bleu, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Monique Coleman and Zac Efron visit MTV's "TRL" at MTV Studios in Times Square on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: (U.S. TABS OUT) Actors Corbin Bleu, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Monique Coleman and Zac Efron visit MTV's "TRL" at MTV Studios in Times Square on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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    NEW YORK - OCTOBER 21: (U.S. TABS OUT) Actors Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens visit MTV's "TRL" at MTV Studios in Times Square on October 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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