It’s been nearly eight years since audiences last saw Johnny Depp don the iconic tricorn hat and eye patch of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The swashbuckling franchise, which first captivated audiences in 2003, became an instant hit with its mix of adventure, humor, and unforgettable characters.
The initial trilogy, comprising The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Dead Man’s Chest (2006), and At World’s End (2007), set the bar for pirate movies. These films were massive blockbusters, with fans flocking to theaters to see the thrilling tales unfold.
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Though the franchise’s momentum slowed with the release of On Stranger Tides (2011) and Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), they still managed to pull in crowds eager for more of Depp’s charismatic pirate.
Even after the less-than-stellar performance of the latter films, Disney remained committed to continuing the Pirates saga with a sixth installment.
However, the road ahead for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 took a sudden and controversial detour in 2018 when Johnny Depp’s ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, published an Op-Ed in The Washington Post. In the article, Heard accused Depp of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse, sparking a firestorm of backlash against the actor.
In response to these accusations, Depp’s career faced a dramatic downturn. Disney parted ways with the actor, and Warner Bros. also recast Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. The fallout was swift and far-reaching, leaving Depp with little room to defend himself in the public eye.
Despite the scandal, Depp fought back in court. In 2022, he filed a defamation lawsuit against Heard for $50 million, and she countersued for $100 million.
During the trial, Depp revealed that Disney had removed him from Pirates of the Caribbean 6, costing him an estimated $20 million in lost wages. The jury ultimately found both Depp and Heard had defamed each other, but ruled in Depp’s favor, awarding him over $10 million in damages, while Heard received just $1 million.
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One of the most notable moments in the trial came when Depp was asked whether he would ever consider working with Disney again. His response was blunt, stating he wouldn’t return—even if offered $300 million and a million alpacas.
Since the trial, Depp has remained mostly out of the spotlight, although whispers of his potential return to Pirates of the Caribbean have continued to circulate.
Fans of the beloved franchise, however, were reignited with hope when producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed that multiple scripts for the sixth film had been written—one of which was specifically tailored for Depp’s return as Captain Jack Sparrow.
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Now, as the Pirates rumor mill heats up once again, it appears there might be some truth to these speculations. According to a report from The DisInsider, Disney is quietly working behind the scenes on Pirates 6, and Johnny Depp’s return could very well be in the cards.
In an exclusive update, The DisInsider reported:
Now, one source tells us that Walt Disney Studios is quietly gearing up to begin production on the next installment of the series at one Hollywood sound stage. Although there is no timeline for when production will officially begin, we have heard that this entry will feature the return of Depp!
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While this news has fans buzzing, Disney has yet to confirm any details, which is not surprising given the studio’s tendency to keep major announcements under wraps. As we’ve seen with recent Marvel projects, Disney is known for keeping information tightly controlled until contracts are signed and filming is underway.
This secrecy only adds to the growing excitement around Depp’s potential return. The idea of seeing Captain Jack Sparrow back on the high seas has fans eagerly awaiting official confirmation.
But the question remains: should Depp return to the Pirates franchise, or is it time for Disney to let the series go after five successful films? After all, the franchise has already undergone several transformations over the years, and a new chapter could offer fresh opportunities.
While we wait for further updates from Disney, one thing is for certain—fans are eagerly anticipating the next steps for the Pirates franchise, especially if Depp reprises his iconic role.
Would you love to see Johnny Depp back as Captain Jack? Or do you think Disney should let the franchise sail into the sunset and move on? Sound off in the comments and share your thoughts!
Get Johnny Back!