What’s Next for ‘Pirates’ Star Johnny Depp After Losing Disney?

in Movies & TV

Jack Sparrow thinking

Credit: Disney

Johnny Depp’s career with Disney is one that seemingly began strong and successful — but has since deteriorated quite fast. Now, it is reported that the former Jack Sparrow actor is now looking to smaller studios to save his acting career.

Johnny Depp
Credit: Disney

It has been rumored that according to insider Daniel Richtman, Johnny Depp is now looking toward smaller production studios and lower-budget films to keep his acting career afloat, after losing his libel case against The Sun and undergoing various claims of domestic abuse against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp originally fought U.K. tabloid newspaper The Sun but lost the case in court — which, unfortunately for Depp, left him looking guilty. Considering the A-list actor drew much attention from the public eye surrounding this case, major movie studios who once supported him began to pull away.

johnny depp and mickey mouse
Credit: D23

Related: Petition to Drop Johnny Depp’s Ex-Wife From ‘Aquaman 2’ Nears 2 MILLION Signatures

First, it was announced that Warner Bros. asked Johnny Depp to step down from his role as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3 — a fate that Depp shared with his 9+ million Instagram followers. Mads Mikkelsen is currently set to take over Depp’s character in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Although he will no longer be featured, Depp will still make the 10 million he is contractually owed from the film.

Rumors then began to swirl that Disney was dropping their iconic Jack Sparrow actor from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise — which proved to be true. Disney has now admitted that Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow has been scrapped from Pirates of the Caribbean 6. The studios are seemingly pivoting away from Depp’s version of Pirates of the Caribbean, while still keeping the same world and environment that many fans watched Jack Sparrow create.

"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES"
Credit: Disney

Margot Robbie will helm the ship in a female-led Pirates of the Caribbean film, inherently replacing Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow as the new leading captain of the franchise. We currently are not sure what the storyline of this film will have in store for us; however, it has been noted that the film will introduce an entirely new cast. Robbie is also looking to have her character be part of the LGBT+ community — but it has not been confirmed that Disney will take the character in that direction.

So, where does this leave Johnny Depp?

After Johnny Depp lost two iconic roles, his fans became quite vocal on their disappointment – especially toward Disney’s decision to scrap him as Jack Sparrow. Petitions are going around with nearly 400,000 signatures to bring the actor back, and social media is fired up with fans showing their allegiance to the actor.

Johnny Depp
Credit: D23

Considering Depp has been removed from two major studio productions, finding another to support him amid the Amber Heard abuse allegations may be tough. However, it seems that Depp’s friend and long time colleague Tim Burton could be the saving grace for his career.

Currently, Depp is in talks to star as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family — an idea sparked by director Tim Burton. It is also rumored that the long-awaited Beetlejuice 2, which Burton has repeatedly expressed interest in directing, may come to fruition with Johnny Depp starring in the film. That being said, Beetlejuice was originally a Warner Bros. film, so there may be challenges ahead for Burton to clear Depp with the studio if this rumor proves true.

depp and burton
Credit: Kevork Djansezian/AP

So, although Depp’s career may be on thin ice, it is not over. Indie producer Orian Williams stated, “If he manages to get one more good part, he could ostensibly come back. I would consider hiring him for the right role. You can question a lot, but you can’t ever question his talent.”

Whether that “good part” will be in a major studio franchise or smaller studio production, an excellent performance can change things for the actor.

Johnny Depp
Credit: Disney

Related: Woman Breaks Into ‘Pirates’ Actor Johnny Depp’s Home

Moving into 2021, Depp released a letter to his fans where the actor is seemingly moving on from the past year’s trauma. He is choosing to forgive those who have talked against him. Depp noted:

A New Year’s wish to all.

Though the world is in mourning for better days, I hope all of you are able to find a moment tonight to smile and more importantly, to laugh and make others laugh, as much as possible.

I know this may be difficult in the midst of these trying times, but I wish nothing but happiness and health to all.

May you be surrounded in perfection.

With all my love and respect, JD

For now, Depp fans will have to sit tight and wait to see where his career will take him next! Until then, fans can pop Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl onto Disney+, or book a Disney World vacation where they can see a life-like animatronic of Jack Sparrow on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Magic Kingdom! If you would like to start booking that magical getaway, click here. 

What do you think is next for Johnny Depp’s career? Do you think Disney will ever have him star in another Disney film?

 

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