‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Writer Un-Cancels Johnny Depp, Invites Him Back for ‘Pirates 6’

In 2003, Disney released the first film in what would be one of its most successful franchises of all time, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The movie starred Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, a role that would forever embed him in the hearts of Disney fans.

Depp starred in a total of five Pirates films — The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Dead Man’s Chest (2006), At World’s End (2007), On Stranger Tides (2011), and Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).

Related: This LEGO Disney World Pirates of the Caribbean Ride Replica is INCREDIBLE!

In total, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise grossed Disney $4.5 billion and was even the first franchise to have two films pass the billion-dollar mark. Despite the final two films in the franchise not being as successful as the first three, Disney was determined to move forward and make Pirates of the Caribbean 6.

That was until an OpEd was published in The Washington Post in December 2018.

The Infamous OpEd

The OpEd was written by the ACLU and polished on behalf of Depp’s ex-wife, actress Amber Heard. The OpEd accused Depp of physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse.

The backlash against Depp was swift and unrelenting. Not only was he dropped by Disney and no longer a part of Pirates 6, but he was also replaced as Gellert Grindelwald in the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. He went from being one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood to being unable to get a job.

Related: ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Actress Apologizes For Offensive Johnny Depp Costume

While it was originally reported that Amber Heard had written the OpEd for The Washington Post, it was later revealed that it was actually written by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and Ms. Heard had merely approved what was written.

Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard

In 2019, Mr. Depp filed a defamation lawsuit against Ms. Heard for what was written in The Washington Post OpEd. He claimed that Heard was trying to ruin his reputation and successful career by lying about him. He further said that if anyone in the relationship was being abused, it was him. Mr. Depp sued Ms. Heard for $50 million.

A year and a half after Depp filed his lawsuit, Heard filed a countersuit against him for $100 million. Heard claimed that Depp was engaging in a “harassment campaign” on social media in an attempt to get her fired from the Aquaman franchise and ad campaigns that she was a part of, like L’Oréal.

The trial kicked off in April 2022 and lasted for six weeks. During the trial, Heard and Depp accused each other of serious abuse. Heard claimed that Depp had sexually assaulted her with a bottle. Depp accused Heard of pooping on the bed. He also provided audio of her admitting to hitting him and daring him to go to the police. In the recording, Ms. Heard said that no one would believe him if he said she was the abusive one.

Related: Johnny Depp’s Claims Amber Heard’s Abuse Allegations Cost Him More Than $22 Million When He Was Dropped From ‘Pirates 6’

In the end, the jury determined that Mr. Depp and Ms. Heard were mutually defamatory to each other, however, Ms. Heard was deemed to be more at fault.

Depp was awarded more than $15 million, while Ms. Heard was awarded just $2 million. In the end, Depp agreed to settle with Ms. Heard and accepted $1 million, which was donated to charity.

The Road to Pirates of the Caribbean 6

Shortly before the release of One Stranger Tides in 2011, Disney announced that they would be filming the fifth and sixth films back to back. Dead Men Tell No Tales star Kaya Scodelario — who played Carina Smyth — also confirmed that not only was there a sixth film on the way, but she had signed a contract to star in it.

As we know, that sixth film never happened. Although Disney has not canceled the film, the path to the untitled Pirates 6 project has been paved with nails and broken glass.

In 2019, Disney announced that Craig Mazin (The Last of Us) and Ted Elliott would be writing the new movie. Mazin had not worked on a Pirates film before, but Elliott had written Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man’s Chest, At World’s End, and On Stranger Tides. Joachim Rønning — who directed Dead Men Tell No Tales — was set to direct.

Related: Disney Could Entirely Replace ‘Pirates’ Cast, Bring All New Look to Franchise

Since then, rumors surrounding Pirates 6 have been swirling with no end in sight, and several well-known names have been tossed around to take over the franchise. Some of the names the press reported as possibilities were Hawkeye (2021) star Hailee Steinfeld and Elvis (2022) star Austin Butler.

Hailee Steinfeld never commented on her potential role in Pirates of the Caribbean 6, but Austin Butler did say that he had not heard the rumor. He added that he loves the Pirates franchise.

For a long time, Disney was planning on replacing Johnny Depp with Barbie (2023) star Margot Robbie. A script was written, and Jerry Bruckheimer was signed on to continue producing the Pirates films. Robbie was going to be the new lead and would be replacing Captain Jack Sparrow.

However, in 2022, a disappointed Robbie told the press that her untitled Pirates of the Caribbean film was no longer happening. 

“We had an idea and we were developing it for a while, ages ago, to have more of a female-led — not totally female-led, but just a different kind of story — which we thought would’ve been really cool. But I guess they don’t want to do it.”

Despite Margot Robbie’s belief, Jerry Bruckheimer said that her Pirates story is not completely dead. He believes that a script will come forward at some point and that they will be able to give Robbie her very own story, separate from the current franchise.

Bruckheimer has also voiced his desire for Johnny Depp to return to the franchise as Captain Jack or the movie would just not be the same. Bruckheimer has served as a producer on all five Pirates films and is set to return for the sixth film. He recently revealed that a script has been completed, and should Disney give the go-ahead, casting will begin this summer!

Pirates 6 Writer Wants Depp Back

Jerry Bruckheimer is not the only person who has been involved in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise since its beginning, and he is not the only one who wants to see Johnny Depp return to one of his most iconic film roles.

Popular screenwriter Terry Rossio has been with Disney for more than three decades and has been behind some truly iconic films and television shows, including Aladdin (1992), the Aladdin television series, Treasure Planet (2002), and National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007).

Related: Is Disney Replacing Johnny Depp With Their Original Choice for Jack Sparrow?

Rossio is also the only writer to have been behind all five Pirates films, and is set to return for Pirates of the Caribbean 6.

In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Rossio said that he would love to have Johnny Depp return as Captain Jack Sparrow, despite what Amber Heard said about him. He even said that Johnny Depp was no issue when it came to the making of the sixth film.

“Johnny is beloved. I wouldn’t even hesitate on Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp isn’t the issue. The issue is: is there a story worthy? Is the script good? Can it be directed well? Can the finances of it be worked out? Those are the issues. The issue has nothing to do with Johnny.”

Johnny Depp is not the only person Rossio said that he would like to see return to the franchise, either. The first three films in the franchise were, by far, the most successful. So, Rossio wants to bring back the people who made them as successful as they were.

“Clearly the best pirate film in my mind, my controversial opinion, would be to bring back everybody. I would bring back Johnny. I would bring back Gore Verbinski. “

“‘I would bring back Geoffrey Rush. I would bring back Orlando (Bloom), (Kevin) McNeely and Keira (Knightley). That’s the best pirate film. Why not? We had a blast the first time. Let’s do it again. That’s what I would do if it were me, why not? And that’s what the fans want.’

As much as he wants to see Johnny Depp return to the franchise, he does think that Margot Robbie should get her own film. In fact, he would love to see Pirates of the Caribbean turn into something like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where different characters can be introduced and get their own films, expanding the universe.

Would Johnny Depp Be Willing to Return as Captain Jack?

Over the years, Depp has expressed his hurt about being dropped by Disney after Amber Heard’s serious allegations were levied against him. The Mouse House abandoned him before he was found guilty of any wrongdoing, and Disney is still facing a lot of backlash for this. Fans have constantly been demanding Disney apologize to Depp and beg to come back.

During his defamation trial, Mr. Depp was asked if he would consider returning to Disney, and he appeared to make his stance very clear. He said that he would not return, even if Disney offered him “$300 million and one million alpacas.”

However, it seems that his harsh stance might have softened. Since the trial, eagle-eyed fans have speculated that Depp was hinting at his willingness to return by the clothes that he was wearing. Insiders have also claimed that Depp would be willing to return to the studio, for the right price.

And it seems that Disney is also regretting their decision to let the beloved actor go.

In June 2023, The New York Times interviewed Sean Bailey, who was the President of Walt Disney Motion Picture Production at the time. Bailey was asked about Disney reaching out to Depp, and he said that the studio was “noncommittal.” However, the article indicated that he seemed willing to discuss the actor.

Bailey left Disney in February 2024, after 14 years with the company.

At this time, all we can do is wait and see what direction Disney chooses to go in. Those who have worked on the Pirates films seem eager to have Depp return. And fans have made it clear that they will boycott any Pirates film that does not have Depp in the starring role.

The ball is in Disney’s court, and it remains to be seen if they will listen to the millions of adoring fans.

Do you think Disney should make a Pirates of the Caribbean film without Johnny Depp? Do you think he should come back to Disney? Let us know in the comments!