As Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise potentially reboots, the return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow remains uncertain.
As a new installment in Disney’s beloved Pirates of the Caribbean series appears to be on the horizon, fans are eagerly awaiting an answer to the burning question: Will Johnny Depp return to the high seas?
The development of Pirates of the Caribbean 6 has been shrouded in uncertainty for several years. The last film in the franchise, 2017’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, not only received a critical drubbing but also underperformed at the box office.
Adding to the complexities, Johnny Depp, who had been the face of the franchise for all its previous iterations, faced a tumultuous period in his career due in part to his highly publicized legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard.
Craig Mazin’s Intriguing Update on Pirates 6 Script
Enter Craig Mazin, the creative mind behind HBO’s hit series The Last of Us. In a surprising turn of events, Mazin disclosed (via the Los Angeles Times) that he had pitched an idea for a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film—reported to be a reboot—just before the pandemic hit. Disney, to everyone’s astonishment, embraced the concept and initiated development. Despite this initial momentum, progress has stalled in recent years, except for the creation of what Mazin described as a “fantastic script.” The ongoing writers’ strike has further complicated matters, causing delays:
“We pitched it and thought there’s no way they’re buying it, it’s too weird. And they did! And then he wrote a fantastic script, and the strike happened, and everyone’s waiting around.”
While the writers’ strike continues, the production of a sixth Pirates film remains at a standstill. However, Mazin’s enthusiastic portrayal of the project’s potential offers hope and excitement for fans.
In late 2022, Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed that not one but two PotC movies were in the works. Additionally, Margot Robbie, renowned for her role in Barbie, was set to lead one of these films.
But this leads to a crucial question: What about Johnny Depp, who embodied Captain Jack Sparrow in the franchise’s first five films?
The Return of Johnny Depp
For Pirates of the Caribbean 1-5, Johnny Depp and Captain Jack Sparrow were inseparable, creating a cultural sensation, especially in the mid-2000s. Depp, at one point, held the title of Hollywood’s highest-paid actor in 2012. However, a series of high-profile disappointments, including Mortdecai in 2015 and Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows in 2012, tarnished his star power significantly.
Depp’s career faced another setback when he became embroiled in a high-profile legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard, who accused him of domestic abuse. While a jury ruled against Heard, the majority of Hollywood now seems hesitant to associate with Depp.
So, what’s Depp’s status in the forthcoming Pirates of the Caribbean 6? Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production president Sean Bailey remained “noncommittal” over the summer regarding Depp’s potential return as Jack Sparrow. Some speculate that this ambiguity might be a strategic move. Considering that the film has been branded as a reboot, it’s possible that Pirates 6 will chart a fresh course, distancing itself from the continuity of the earlier movies.
In light of this, it appears increasingly likely that Depp might not be part of the sequel’s cast, despite his gradual return to the entertainment industry. Nevertheless, as the saying goes in the world of pirates, “Anything’s possible.”