Actually, if one reads through this topic, one sees that Burton already had several films in various stages of readiness before he planned to do the Depp/DS film. That's why there have been frequent cautions posted that if WB and Depp had their minds set on Burton directing the Depp/DS film, the film was going to be years in the offing. And back in '08 we speculated that it could be more than two years before Burton would be free enough to handle the film. And that prediction seems to have turned out to be just about right.
I see where one more obstacle is out of the way as far as Depp goes:
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: It's a Wrap!The article says that Depp is now free to turn his attention to DS - but with almost five months before DS begins production, why do I suspect Depp might fit something in beforehand (film, voice, narration, who knows what)? Could it be that the man seems like a workaholic?