Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer has talked to Johnny Depp about returning to the franchise.
Is Johnny Depp Returning for Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
Since the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film’s release in 2017, there has been lots of talk about a sixth, which could be a sequel, a spin-off, or a reboot. In May 2024, Bruckheimer said Pirates of the Caribbean 6 would be a reboot, although reports in December indicated he was developing two scripts, including one that would bring back Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.
Bruckheimer told Entertainment Weekly that he’s talked to Depp about returning.
“If he likes the way the part’s written, I think he would do it,” he said in a new interview. “It’s all about what’s on the page, as we all know.”
Bruckheimer previously told EW that though the film would be a reboot, he would still like Depp to appear as Jack Sparrow.
“It’s a reboot, but if it was up to me, he would be in it,” he said. “I love him. He’s a good friend. He’s an amazing artist, and he’s a unique look. He created Captain Jack. That was not on the page; that was him doing a little Pepé Le Pew and Keith Richards. That was his interpretation of Jack Sparrow.”
A screenplay is still in the works, Bruckheimer explained. “We haven’t qutie gotten there yet, but we’re close.”
Craig Mazin (The Last of Us) was at one point attached as writer, alongside original Pirates of the Caribbean writer Ted Elliot. But things were put on hold due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes. Bruckheimer has indicated Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales writer Jeff Nathanson is now working on a script.
Disney cut ties with Johnny Depp after Dead Men Tell No Tales was released in 2017, following accusations of abuse from Depp’s ex Amber Heard. Depp sued News Group Newspapers over an article about the abuse, with the High Court of Justice ruling 12 of the 14 incidents of physical violence alleged by NGN did happen. Depp also sued Heard for defamation over her own op-ed about the abuse and she countersued Depp in 2020, leading to a public trial in which both were ultimately awarded.
The actor has faced other controversies over the years, including 2020 reports that he once took eight ecstasy pills while filming Dead Men Tell No Tales.
A female-led Pirates of the Caribbean 6 starring Margot Robbie has been discussed. Though Robbie later said the film was no longer in development, Bruckheimer has still sometimes mentioned it as a possibility. There were also rumors of Disney hoping to cast Karen Gillan in a sixth film.
Orlando Bloom has expressed interest in returning, too.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.