Credit: DisneyJohnny Depp is poised to return as Captain Jack Sparrow, at least according to long-time producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
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Jerry Bruckheimer thinks Johnny Depp is ready and willing to return to the role of Captain Jack Sparrow in a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film. Bruckheimer has produced the series since Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, released in 2003.
In a new interview, Buckheimer told Entertainment Weekly that he has talked with Depp and that the actor is willing to return to the role despite his history with The Walt Disney Company.
The two’s relationship has been on shaky waters since Disney cut ties with Depp following the publication of an op-ed from his ex-wife, Amber Heard, in 2018. Heard claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse, but did not reference Depp by name.
Depp and Heard headlined a global defamation case in 2022 in which Depp accused his former partner of hurting his reputation and career because of what she wrote. Heard was found liable in all three matters of defamation. As such, Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
Heard won one of three counterclaims against Depp and was awarded $2 million.
Amidst all this, Disney essentially dropped Depp from any future Pirates of the Caribbean movies. However, things have changed dramatically, with a new film reportedly in production and Depp being eyed to once again star.
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“If he likes the way the part’s written, I think he would do it,” Bruckheimer said. “It’s all about what’s on the page, as we all know.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise hasn’t seen a new entry since 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales, which saw Depp reunite with series co-stars Orlando Bloom, Kiera Knightley, and Geoffrey Rush. Curiously, this new proposed Pirates film would be a reboot, per Bruckheimer, though the producer still wants to see Depp return.
“I love him. He’s a good friend. He’s an amazing artist, and he’s a unique look.” Bruckheimer previously said about Depp. “He created Captain Jack. That was not on the page; that was him doing a little Pepé Le Pew and Keith Richards. That was his interpretation of Jack Sparrow. It’s a reboot, but if it was up to me, he would be in it.”
Bruckheimer says the script is still being developed, and the team is taking great care to ensure that what’s written really works.
At one point, it seemed like Margot Robbie (Wolf of Wall Street, Suicide Squad, Barbie) would star in her own Pirates movie. Reports of a woman-led Pirates film began circulating several years ago, with Margot Robbie attached to star. This project seemingly got lost in the shuffle, with Robbie claiming the film was canceled by Disney.
However, in 2024, Bruckheimer revealed the project wasn’t done with quite yet, as two films were being worked on. One of these is a sixth Pirates film, and the other is a woman-led spinoff starring Robbie.
Do you hope to see Johnny Depp return as Captain Jack Sparrow?