Captain Jack Sparrow may not have sailed his final voyage after all. Johnny Depp has opened up about a potential return to Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but the actor is clear that any comeback would be about one thing: giving the character a proper goodbye.
The comments land just as Depp steps back into the studio spotlight. Ebenezer (2026), Paramount Pictures’ gothic take on the Charles Dickens classic, opens in theaters this Friday, November 13, giving the actor his first leading role in a major studio film in years.
Depp Wants Jack Sparrow to Go Out on His Terms
Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is in development, reportedly alongside Top Gun 3, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer has said he would love to work with Depp again. Asked by Entertainment Tonight whether he would return as the eccentric pirate, Depp did not rule it out, but he set a clear condition.
“If things are exactly where they need to be with regard to how they are going to top off the Pirates franchise… the only involvement I really want to have, truly, is just to send them off on a better note,” Depp told Entertainment Tonight.
In other words, Depp is not chasing another standalone adventure. He is interested in closure, and his faith in Bruckheimer also appears unshaken. “I will go to work with [Jerry] Bruckheimer tomorrow for anything. Doesn’t matter… if it’s Jerry, I trust him. We have a deep friendship.”
Fans hoping for an announcement will need to wait, however. Disney has not confirmed Depp’s return, and no deal is in place.
Meet the New Scrooge
Before any trip back to the high seas, audiences can see Depp transform into one of literature’s most famous misers. Ebenezer is directed by Ti West, the filmmaker behind X (2022), and it reshapes the 1843 novella into something closer to a horror story than a cozy seasonal favorite.
The supporting cast is stacked. Rupert Grint takes on Bob Cratchit, with Daisy Ridley as Emily Cratchit, and Sir Ian McKellen haunts the screen as Jacob Marley. Andrea Riseborough plays the Ghost of Christmas Past, while Tramell Tillman portrays the Ghost of Christmas Present. Sam Claflin appears as Fred, Arthur Conti plays Young Ebenezer, Ellie Bamber plays Isabel Fezziwig, and Charlie Murphy also features.
Paramount has not shied away from its star’s past, either. The film’s trailer, which debuted over the summer, nods directly to his signature role with the line, “He brought us Jack Sparrow…”
How Depp Got Here
The road to Ebenezer has been a long one. Depp’s career changed dramatically amid his public legal dispute with former wife Amber Heard, a saga that polarized audiences and coincided with his exit from both Pirates of the Caribbean and Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts series, in which he played Gellert Grindelwald.
The 2022 defamation trial ended with a jury awarding Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and Heard $2 million. From there, Depp turned to smaller international films, including Minamata (2020), Jeanne du Barry (2023), Johnny Puff: Secret Mission (2024) and Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness (2024), which he also directed and produced. Next up, he stars alongside Penélope Cruz in Lionsgate’s Day Drinker (2027).
Away from the cameras, Depp has kept a lower profile. Speaking to Somerset Life in 2023, he praised Somerset, England, for its character, its friendly locals and the privacy it gives him. The self-described shy actor said he appreciated being able to pop into local businesses without causing a stir.
One Last Voyage?
All eyes now turn to the box office. A strong showing for Ebenezer would mark the clearest sign yet that Depp can still anchor a major studio release, and it could influence whether Disney and Bruckheimer bring Captain Jack Sparrow back for a final send-off.
Would you want to see Johnny Depp return as Captain Jack Sparrow one last time? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
