Hopefully Brett Ratner’s too busy licking glutinous fairy-floss from an exotic dancer’s ass to read today’s Variety.

“Pirates of the Caribbean 4” is in need of a director.

Gore Verbinski, director of the first three films, has informed the House of Mouse, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, that he won’t be returning to helm Jack Sparrow’s fourth voyage across the cinematic ocean.

The filmmaker tells the trade, “I had a fantastic time bringing ‘Pirates’ to life, and I am eternally grateful to Jerry, Johnny and the rest of the creative and production team,” Verbinski said. “I’m looking forward to all of us crossing paths again in the future.”

Instead, Verbinski will turn his attention to “Bioshock”, a Universal Pictures adaptation of the bestselling vidgame that has a John Logan script and is likely to be Verbinski’s next film as a director.

With “Pirates” expected to set sail again next year, chances are Disney’s already got their sights on a replacement.