Leading ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Star Speaks Out on Franchise Return

Johnny Depp’s legendary portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow helped shape an entire era of blockbuster filmmaking—and even now, more than 20 years since his first outing, the door may not be completely closed on his return to Pirates of the Caribbean.

Depp debuted as the flamboyant pirate in 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the product of a creative partnership between Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The film was an unexpected smash hit, launching a global franchise and cementing Depp’s place in pop culture. While his interpretation of Jack Sparrow initially raised concerns among Disney executives, it ultimately became a defining role in his career.

The saga continued with a string of sequels—Dead Man’s Chest (2006), At World’s End (2007), On Stranger Tides (2010), and Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017). Co-stars Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom helped carry the early films to blockbuster status, creating a powerful ensemble that audiences flocked to repeatedly.

As Depp’s profile soared, so did his paychecks. He became one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, and Jack Sparrow remained his most requested character for years. But his journey with Disney hit turbulence following a very public legal dispute with ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp’s fall from grace began with a 2020 libel case in the UK. He sued The Sun newspaper after they referred to him as a “wife-beater,” following allegations by Heard. A contentious trial ended with Justice Andrew Nicol ruling the outlet’s claim was “substantially true.” Depp’s appeal was denied in 2021.

The consequences were immediate. Disney quietly dropped him from the Pirates franchise, and Warner Bros. recast his role as Gellert Grindelwald in its Fantastic Beasts series.

The legal battle continued stateside in 2022 when Depp filed a defamation suit against Heard over her Washington Post op-ed discussing domestic violence. Heard countered with a $100 million claim of her own. Over six weeks in a Virginia courtroom, both sides presented their cases before Judge Penney Azcarate.

The jury largely favored Depp. He was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, which were later capped at $350,000 due to state law. Heard received $2 million in compensatory damages but no punitive award.

The saga also made headlines for a moment that seemed to cement Depp’s break with Disney. Heard’s attorney Ben Rottenborn questioned the actor about returning to the franchise: “The fact is, Mr. Depp, if Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film? Correct?” Depp replied: “That is true, Mr. Rottenborn.”

However, reports that surfaced after the trial hinted at a change in tone. Franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer told the press in March that development was underway for Pirates of the Caribbean 6, and he expressed interest in bringing Depp back into the fold.

The future of the franchise remains uncertain. While Disney hasn’t made an official announcement, two separate projects appear to be in development: the long-anticipated sixth entry and a Margot Robbie-led spinoff. Robbie initially claimed the project had been shelved, but Bruckheimer later clarified it was still in development, just not prioritized.

According to Variety, “nothing has been ruled out” when it comes to Depp’s return. As of early 2025, rumors swirled that Disney was building sets for Pirates 6 on a Hollywood soundstage—and Depp’s involvement remains a hot topic.

Recently, Orlando Bloom—Depp’s longtime co-star—chimed in on the franchise’s uncertain future. Speaking on This Morning, Bloom was cautiously optimistic: “There’s been all kinds of things. Who knows? There’s been talk. I can’t say anything at the moment, because I really don’t know. They’re definitely… I think they’re trying to work out what it would all look like. I, personally, think it would be great to get the band back together. That would be great. But there are always different ideas, so we’ll see where it lands.”

Reuniting the original cast could come with a steep price tag. Depp may not ask for the tongue-in-cheek “$300 million” from courtroom lore, but his previous payouts reflect his value to the franchise. Screen Rant reported that Depp earned:

$10 million for The Curse of the Black Pearl

$60 million for Dead Man’s Chest

$50 million for At World’s End

$55 million for On Stranger Tides

$90 million for Dead Men Tell No Tales

Depending on negotiations and expectations, a sixth film could potentially exceed those numbers. But with recent Disney titles like Snow White (2025) and Captain America: Brave New World (2025) falling short at the box office, the gamble is real—even with a proven property.

As for Depp, he isn’t sitting idle. His film Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, premiered in 2024, showing that he’s continuing to work outside the blockbuster spotlight. Whether that path leads back to the high seas remains to be seen.

How do you feel about the potential return of the original three leads? Let us know in the comments down below!