For years, it looked like Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean had sailed into separate waters. Now, Captain Jack Sparrow may be heading back.
Speaking to Deadline at Disney’s D23 fan event, producer Jerry Bruckheimer said he is “talking with Johnny” and working on a screenplay for the sixth film. Sources told Deadline that the story will centre on Margot Robbie’s character, with Depp potentially returning in a supporting role.
The possible reunion carries plenty of baggage. Depp was dropped from the franchise amid his bitter legal battle with Amber Heard. During the 2022 defamation trial, he said he felt “betrayed” by Disney and indicated he would not return, even for a huge offer.
But the door never stayed completely shut. In 2023, a source close to Depp said “anything is possible”, while Bruckheimer has repeatedly expressed interest in bringing him back.
So what could fans expect? Not necessarily another Jack Sparrow-led adventure. If the current plan holds, Robbie could lead the new chapter while Depp’s Sparrow becomes the bridge between the franchise’s past and future.
The stakes are enormous. The five existing films have earned more than $4.5 billion worldwide, while 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales was the franchise’s lowest-grossing entry at $795.9 million.
After years of legal drama, one question now hangs over the franchise: can Disney bring back the pirate it once let walk the plank?
