Orlando Bloom has confirmed that he will not feature in the next movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

"No, definitely not," the actor, who played Will Turner in the first three films, said.

"I think Will is sort of swimming around with the fish at the bottom of the ocean."

The fourth instalment of the franchise, entitled Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, will see Johnny Depp reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Directed by Johnny Marsall, the film is due to be released in 2011.

In an interview with MTV, Orlando said he had decided to leave the franchise in order to try other projects.

"I had a great time making those movies. I just really wanted to do different things, but I think it's going to be great,” he said.

“Whatever Johnny does, I think it's fantastic."

At present, it is not clear whether the franchise's other big star, Keira Knightley, will appear in the fourth movie.