It has been seven years since the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie starring Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. It is, undoubtedly, one of the biggest franchises that Disney has been trying to reboot the movie series for quite a while.
In this scenario, reboot means the absence of Depp, and for obvious reasons, it would be hard for anyone to imagine the franchise without Depp leading the film series. However, recent reports suggest that Dune: Part Two star Austin Butler is being eyed to lead the new reboot of the popular movie series.
Austin Butler Is Eyed To Star In the Pirates of the Caribbean Reboot
Pirates of the Caribbean reboot has been in the talks for quite a while, even with speculations of Barbie star Margot Robbie leading the film series. A recent report revealed that Austin Butler could be the next lead of the franchise. Of course, the actor has proved his prowess with several astonishing performances, including Elvis and The Bikeriders, and he could be the next best choice. But Depp’s name has been synonymous with the film series, and it would be a very hard sell for Butler as he attempts to fill Johnny Depp’s shoes.
Previously, Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer candidly revealed that Disney is set to reboot the franchise that went on to gross over $4.5 billion across 5 movies headlining Depp. But at the time of the interview with Comicbook.com, the future of the franchise was still bleak. “It’s hard to tell,” Bruckheimer told the outlet.
“You don’t know. You really don’t know. You don’t know how they come together. You just don’t know. Because with ‘Top Gun’ you have an actor who is iconic and brilliant. And how many movies he does before he does ‘Top Gun,’ I can’t tell you. But we’re gonna reboot ‘Pirates,’ so that is easier to put together because you don’t have to wait for certain actors,” he added.
Now, with the latest speculation and Bruckheimer’s comment, it is quite safe to assume that the franchise will not come with another installment with Depp reprising his role.
Fans Are Unhappy About Austin Butler’s Pirates of the Caribbean Replacing Johnny Depp
It is not too hard to ignore that Butler is one of the most capable actors of the generation, and he would be among the perfect contenders to lead the reboot of the popular franchise. But again, replacing Depp would always be a gamble for Disney. Several studios canceled Depp during his legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard, but now the debacle is over, and his association will not be a financial threat at the box office. And for fans, Pirates of the Caribbean would be hard to watch without Depp in it.
Well, that guy's great and all… but I just don't think it would be the same without Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.
Unless Butler will be portraying a younger version of him, in which case, this should be interesting.
— Harrison Littrell (@HarrisonLittre1) May 15, 2024
No Johnny, no thanks!
— maria ocasio (@hpangie) May 16, 2024
No ones watching without Johnny Depp.
— Mr Django (@MRxDJANGO) May 15, 2024
No Johnny not watching
— Last King of Gondor (@LetsGoCrazyX) May 15, 2024
Just bring our man Johnny back
— Ian Choi (@IanChoi63390456) May 15, 2024
I like him a lot, terrific actor, but I’m still not watching w/out Johnny
— Films and Anime!!🤩 (@devilcorona44) May 16, 2024
Regardless, there has not been any official confirmation to validate the report. Also, Disney has kept most of it under wraps. So, at this point, it is hard to assume the future of the franchise.
Stream the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise on Disney+.
