Johnny Depp may not be done sailing the high seas just yet. A new update from longtime franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer suggests that plans are still in motion to bring Captain Jack Sparrow back for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. While rumors have hinted at a new direction, Bruckheimer says Depp remains part of the conversation.
Jerry Bruckheimer discusses Johnny Depp’s potential return as Jack Sparrow
During a chat with The Direct at the Producers Guild Awards, Jerry Bruckheimer tackled the rumor mill head-on about the next Pirates movie possibly sailing without Johnny Depp. Dismissing the rumor, he said the talk isn’t true and made it clear that if he has a say, Depp will be back on board. “First of all, that’s not true. No, no, no. Johnny… if it’s up to me, he’ll be in it,” Bruckheimer stated.
The sixth installment has been in the works since 2017’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Depp’s return became a question mark after his legal showdown with ex-wife Amber Heard. Even after he won the defamation case, fans still wondered whether Disney and Depp would collaborate again for the franchise. Then a February 2026 report stirred things up again, suggesting the story might center on Jack Sparrow’s son. That sparked fresh debate about whether Depp would hand over the spotlight or pop in for a smaller role instead.
In an August 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, the producer had revealed that he had talked with Depp about returning. He said he believes the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory star would sign on, but only if the script feels right.
Depp hasn’t slammed the door either. Earlier, in July 2023, a source told People that “anything is possible” when it comes to him donning Jack Sparrow’s boots. That little tease kept fan hopes alive, especially for those who want to see the character get a proper, big-screen farewell.
