Casting alert: Gemma Ward boards 'Pirates'

Australian supermodel Gemma Ward is trying to boost her acting resume by joining Rob Marshall's upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" sequel, which heads into filming this week.

The Courier Mail reports Ward will be playing a mermaid. Her role, however, is of short nature. "Tides" also stars Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush and Penelope Cruz. Ward also starred in "The Strangers."