While it is being compared to Johnny Depp’sPirates of the Caribbean, AMC’sNautilushas a much more complicated version of Jack Sparrow. Though it had a rocky production,Nautilusdebuted to some strong scores on Rotten Tomatoesduring its premiere in the United States. The show has a lot going for it, from thecast ofNautilus, led by Shazad Latif, to the impressive visual effects. It’s also a wildly adventurous show, and it’s setting on the open ocean makes it immediately similar to another iconic franchise:Pirates of the Caribbean. In fact,Nautiluseven has its own version of Jack Sparrow.
From the start,Nautiluswas compared toPirates of the Caribbean, and for good reason. Both follow eccentric explorers, Jack and Nemo, who captain legendary ships, theBlack Pearland theNautilus, while searching for treasure and adventure in the open ocean. They’re even set less than a century apart, and they both feature colonial powers like the Spanish Empire and the East India Mercantile Company as their main villains. As similar as they are,Nautilushas one key difference fromPirates of the Caribbean: its version of Jack Sparrow.
Nautilus’ Captain Nemo Is Just Like POTC’s Jack Sparrow, But With A Darker Twist
Nemo & Jack Are Both Sailors & Explorers, But Nemo Is Much Darker & More Serious
It’s clear to see that Captain Nemo and Jack Sparrow are very similar to one another. They certainly have differences -Jack is a much funnier, more unpredictable character, while Nemo is more focused and lets his crew take on most of the comedic work - but their biggest difference is in their backstories.Jack Sparrow’s original backstoryrevealed he became a pirate after freeing a ship full of enslaved people, but for most ofPOTC, he’s just a goofy character who doesn’t have much darkness surrounding him. Even the more morbid parts of his story, like his deal with Davy Jones, are mostly played for laughs and thrills.
Nemo, on the other hand, is a much more complicated character.Unlike Jack Sparrow, Nemo’s past is a fundamental part of him that informs every decision he makes, and it makes him a much darker, more serious character thanPOTC’s protagonist. For example, we already know that Nemo’s wife and daughter were killed, presumably by the East India Mercantile Company, which is his motivation for revenge. He’s also much more interested in championing the rights of oppressed people, unlike Jack, who was always more interested in adventures and treasure and only did the right thing when someone made him.
Hopefully Nautilus Can Turn Captain Nemo Into The Magnetic Leader Jack Sparrow Was By The End Of Season 1
Nemo Has A Lot Of Growing To Do Before He’s As Charming As Jack Sparrow
While it is interesting to see a darker, more serious twist on Jack Sparrow, I still hopeNautiluscan make Nemo more like hisPirates of the Caribbeancounterpart. After the first two episodes ofNautilus, it’s clear that Nemo still has a lot of character development he needs to do. At this point, Nemo is almost too serious and dark, and he doesn’t have the respect of his crew. Hopefully,Nautiluswill find a way to lighten Nemo up and give him a lighter, more playful side like Jack Sparrow. That would go a long way in making Nemo more likable.
Nautilus Release Schedule (Sundays @ 9 p.m. ET)
Ride of the Valkyrie
Too Big to Fail
August 23
Making Nemo more like Jack Sparrow would also fit withNautilus' source material.Nautilusis inspired byTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and in Jules Verne’s novel, Nemo was a magnetic and almost excessively charming leader. Arronax literally had to isolate himself from Nemo so he could build up the courage to escape the submarine.With a bit of Jack Sparrow’s charm and sense of humor,Nautiluscan show how Nemo went from a solitary, grumpy man to the iconic and charming leader he was in Jules Verne’s book. If it does,Nautiluscould become the TV version ofPOTCwe’ve all been waiting for.
