Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Jack was taken to Davy Jones's Locker at the end of the previous film when the Kraken dragged the Black Pearl underwater. He was left there as tribute to satisfy Davy Jones, who claimed Jack owed him thirteen years of service aboard the Flying Dutchman.

The post-credits scene of Dead Man's Chest showed Jack being dragged into the locker while the Pearl sank.

Jack realizes that to escape the Locker, they must flip the Black Pearl upside down. At sunset, they capsize the ship, and at dawn's first light, they emerge back into the living world through a green flash above the water.

The clue comes to Jack while in the Locker, though the exact method is not revealed until he pieces it together.

At the Brethren Court, the nine pirate lords cannot reach a consensus on whether to declare war on Beckett. Barbossa suggests that only a Pirate King can make that decision. When the vote stalls, Elizabeth throws her vote to herself, making her the deciding vote and earning the title of Pirate King.

This twist occurs during the council scene at Shipwreck Cove where argument erupts among the lords.

Sao Feng makes a secret deal with Lord Cutler Beckett to hand over the entire crew in exchange for the Black Pearl. This betrayal happens shortly after they return from the Locker, catching the crew off guard.

Earlier negotiations in Singapore hinted at Feng's willingness to deal with the highest bidder.

After being double-crossed by Beckett, Feng approaches Barbossa seeking to negotiate for Elizabeth's freedom. He believes Elizabeth is the reincarnation of Calypso, the sea goddess and former lover of Davy Jones, likely because of Tia Dalma's mysterious connection to Calypso.

Tia Dalma's true identity as Calypso is revealed gradually throughout the film.

Governor Weatherby Swann's spirit tells Elizabeth that whoever stabs Davy Jones's heart becomes the new captain of the Flying Dutchman. Will stabs the heart to defeat Jones and save the crew, binding himself to serve as captain for ten years before he can return to land.

This revelation comes when Elizabeth encounters her father's spirit in the Locker.

Barbossa strikes a deal with Beckett to trade Jack for Will, using Jack as a bargaining chip. Additionally, Barbossa manipulates the other pirate lords into surrendering their pieces of eight, which he needs to release Calypso from her human form.

Barbossa's history with Jack (from the first film) and his hunger for power sets this betrayal up.

Calypso, the Goddess of the Sea, was bound into human form by the first Brethren Court centuries ago. They used the nine pieces of eight to trap her, fearful of her immense power. Only by gathering all nine pieces can she be released.

Tia Dalma hints at her true identity and imprisonment throughout the film.

As the new captain of the Flying Dutchman, Will must ferry the souls of the dead to the afterlife for ten years before he can be freed from the duty. This is the curse that comes with stabbing Davy Jones's heart and taking command of the cursed ship.

The rules of the Flying Dutchman are established earlier in the franchise.

Beckett is killed during the final battle aboard the Endeavor. After the Flying Dutchman and Black Pearl defeat his fleet, Jack opens the Dead Man's Chest and uses the cannon within to destroy Beckett's ship, eliminating the primary antagonist.

Beckett's arc builds throughout the film as the ultimate villain threat.

Jack had obtained the map to the Fountain of Youth from Sao Feng's chart. Though stranded in Tortuga by Barbossa at the film's end, Jack reveals he kept the map's core, suggesting he plans to seek out the legendary fountain, a classic goal for pirates.

Jack's fascination with the fountain is hinted at when he studies the map in the Locker.

Beckett possesses Davy Jones's heart, giving him absolute control over the cursed captain. Jones is compelled to obey Beckett's orders to destroy all pirate ships, including the Kraken he kills on Beckett's command, because Beckett can end his immortal existence at any moment.

The heart's possession by Beckett is revealed early in the film.

The post-credits scene takes place ten years later, showing Elizabeth and their son on a cliff as the Flying Dutchman appears on the horizon. This confirms Will's return after his ten-year sentence, bringing a hopeful conclusion to their story.

This sets up the emotional payoff promised by Will's departure.