Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is lined up to play the swashbuckling father of a pirate in the third installment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series, star Johnny Depp said Tuesday.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer said Richards would have a cameo role as the father of the flamboyant Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Depp, in the third "Pirates" movie, which is due to resume filming next month in California.

Keith Richards arrives at the Shanghai airport Thursday April 6, 2006. Johnny Depp said Tuesday, July 4, 2006, that Keith Richards is lined up to play the father of a pirate in the third installment of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie series. [AP]

Depp, 43, has said he adopted the body language and mannerisms of the veteran guitarist to create Captain Jack's character.

"We're all looking forward to the idea of Keith coming in and doing a cameo," Depp told a London news conference to promote "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," which opens in Britain on Thursday.

"You never say it's definite until the guy steps on the set and the camera is rolling. But it's looking very, very good," he said.

Co-star Orlando Bloom said he was similarly enthusiastic about working with Richards - provided the rocker is in good health.

"I can't wait to see him - well, if he doesn't kill himself falling out of coconut trees," Bloom said. "Very rock and roll."

Richards, 62, suffered a head injury in late April, when he reportedly fell out of a palm tree while vacationing in Fiji.

Having made a full recovery, Richards will join the Stones for their rescheduled European tour, beginning Tuesday in Milan.