Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz Reunite as Captain Jack Sparrow Return Talks Continue
Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz are sharing the screen again, bringing together two stars with a history that stretches from crime dramas to one of Disney’s biggest franchises.
Their latest collaboration comes at an especially interesting time for Depp.
While his newest movie has nothing to do with Captain Jack Sparrow, discussions surrounding a possible Pirates of the Caribbean comeback haven’t disappeared. In fact, recent comments from longtime franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer have given fans more reason to pay attention.
Before anything happens at Disney, however, Depp and Cruz have another movie headed to theaters.
Day Drinker Brings Depp and Cruz Back Together
Depp and Cruz will star together in Day Drinker (2027), an action thriller directed by Marc Webb and written by Zach Dean.
The movie follows a bartender aboard a private yacht, played by Madelyn Cline, whose life takes an unexpected turn after encountering a mysterious guest portrayed by Depp. Their story eventually becomes tangled with a criminal figure played by Cruz.
A new trailer has provided the first substantial look at the movie, which Lionsgate plans to release in theaters on March 26, 2027.
Johnny Depp in the first trailer for Lionsgate’s DAY DRINKER:
“You thought I was f*** done? I’m done when I say I’m done!”
His big comeback to a major studio film releases on March 26, 2027. pic.twitter.com/wVtjU7yjux
— Global Box Office (@GlobalBoxOffice) September 24, 2026
For Depp and Cruz, it’s another chapter in a working relationship spanning more than two decades.
Their first movie together was Blow (2001). Ten years later, Cruz joined Depp’s most famous franchise when she played Angelica in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).
The pair reunited again for Murder on the Orient Express (2017). Day Drinker (2027) now becomes their fourth movie together.
Jack Sparrow Questions Aren’t Going Away
Depp hasn’t played Captain Jack Sparrow since Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), meaning nearly a decade has passed without another appearance.
Plenty of fans want that drought to end.
Importantly, though, Disney has not confirmed Johnny Depp’s return as Captain Jack Sparrow.
What has changed is the conversation surrounding that possibility.
In August 2026, producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that he was talking with Depp while a new Pirates of the Caribbean screenplay remained in development.
“We’re talking to Johnny. We’re working on a screenplay. Hopefully we can get this done,” Bruckheimer said.
That’s far more substantial than another round of anonymous rumors, but it still stops well short of confirming that Depp has signed on.
Until Disney, Depp, or the filmmakers announce a deal, fans will have to keep waiting.
What they won’t have to wait much longer for is Depp’s reunion with Cruz. Day Drinker (2027) officially brings the two Pirates of the Caribbean stars back together on March 26, 2027, while the possibility of another Captain Jack Sparrow adventure continues to hang over Depp’s Hollywood comeback.
