An exciting rumor related to Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has emerged. According to a new report, Disney and the Hollywood veteran have struck a deal to revive the franchise. Depp last appeared in 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales. However, he had been dropped from the franchise after his ex-wife, Amber Heard, wrote an op-ed alleging domestic abuse, which eventually spiraled into a widely publicized defamation trial.
Insiders say Johnny Depp is bringing back Pirates of Caribbean
A new report suggests that Johnny Depp has struck a deal with Disney to return as Jack Sparrow for a sixth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. However, neither Disney nor Depp has officially confirmed the latter’s return as of writing.
Industry insider Rob Shuter reported on his Substack, citing a production source, that Depp’s return to the iconic fantasy series was “signed, sealed, and happening.” “Johnny’s back with Disney,” he added.
The source reported that Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer brokered Disney and Depp’s truce. Bruckheimer assured both parties that the time and script “were finally right.” Moreover, they shared that Depp read the new film’s script and found it impressive. “It’s got that classic Pirates energy with a redemptive twist,” the insider added.
The source said that although the film will introduce new characters, Depp’s Jack Sparrow will be the main protagonist. According to the source, a top Disney executive said, “Fans spoke, Disney listened, There’s no Pirates without Jack.”
This report comes a few months after Bruckheimer told Entertainment Weekly that the Edward Scissorhands actor was open to the possibility of returning to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
“If he likes the way the part’s written, I think he would do it,” Bruckheimer shared. “It’s all about what’s on the page, as we all know.”
Previously, in a 2024 interview with EW, Bruckheimer shared that although the next Pirates of the Caribbean film would reboot the franchise, he supported the possibility of Depp reprising his role in it. “I love him. He’s a good friend. He’s an amazing artist and he’s a unique look,” he added. “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.”
