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Credit: Disney If you are a fan of Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, you are likely expecting to see him in any future films. While we are certainly not saying that that dream is impossible, Disney is looking to severely demote the status of the character in terms of leadership in the film.
The status of Johnny Depp in the future iterations of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise have been very up in the air as of late. As we know, Depp’s personal life became very public after his ex-wife wrote and published an exposé on her relationship with the actor, where she deemed he was very abusive towards her.
Both Amber Heard and Johnny Depp went to court to settle the defamation case, where millions of fans would watch the live stream of the trial each day to see what would happen. During the trial, others, including Depp’s ex Kate Moss, also took the stand. While Depp was not convicted or guilty before or during the trial, the negative perception with which he was now associated was deemed to be too much for Disney.
Despite Depp making the House of Mouse over $4.5 billion with his participation in Pirates of the Caribbean 6, Disney booted him from the franchise.
This act did not have the positive repercussions that Disney likely had hoped, but rather, the opposite. Fans of the film instantly boycotted the franchise, with hundreds of thousands signing petitions to bring Depp back. To this day, there have been countless fans discussing how there are no Pirates of the Caribbean without Johnny Depp.
Now, it is being reported by news outlet The Hollywood Handle that Disney is considering having Johnny Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow, but not as a lead in the film, but rather, a supporting role.
Disney is reportedly considering having Johnny Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow but for a supporting role in ‘PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 6.’
Disney is reportedly considering having Johnny Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow but for a supporting role in ‘PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 6.’
(Via: @DanielRPK) pic.twitter.com/0t4FvZW0vp
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) March 3, 2024
The wording of this is quite interesting, as it imposes the idea that Depp would want to return, as Disney is considering “having him back”, when that is far from the case.
“If Disney came to you with $300 million dollars 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?” asked Heard’s defense attorney, Ben Rottenborn, during the trial. “That is true,” replied Depp. Since then, Depp has never publically changed his stance on returning. Considering he was loyal to Disney and they were anything but loyal to him during his time of need, assuming that he would lose the trial, it is not shocking to hear that Depp is not interested in helping them make more money.
Having Depp excluded from Pirates of the Caribbean 6 would likely hurt Disney financially, as many associate the film with Depp, so it is Disney who needs the actor far more than Depp needs Disney in the case of Pirates of the Caribbean.
As for the future of Pirates of the Caribbean 6, there has been a lot of chatter regarding where the film will go, if it is created, without too much confirmation. We do know that The Last of Us creator Craig Mazin has written a script.
“We pitched it and thought there’s no way they’re buying it, it’s too weird. And they did!” Mazin told the LA Times.
Mazin told the publication he had been working on the script prior to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes alongside one of the original film’s writers Ted Elliot. However, due to the strikes, the development of the reboot has been put on hold. “[Elliot] wrote a fantastic script and the strike happened and everyone’s waiting around,” Mazin added.
There were rumors of the script taking a turn for a female lead, which might still make sense now that Depp is being looked at as a supporting character. Originally, Margot Robbie was being targeted for the role, but now Ayo Edebiri has her name in the mix.
With the Disney live-action sector being run by David Greenbaum, Disney has expressed that they are now looking at live-action movies with a new eye, wondering if the film they have an idea for needs to be made after a string of live-action failures. While many movies have failed when it comes to Disney in the recent past, knowing that the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was left open-ended and is extremely lucrative, it would make sense that Greenbaum may look to bring the sixth film to life, but also knowing that without Depp, the film is likely one that should not be made.
Where Will Pirates of the Caribbean 6 Pick Up?
The Pirates of the Caribbean film series, produced by Disney, is renowned for its swashbuckling adventures and memorable characters. The saga begins with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), introducing Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, alongside Will Turner, portrayed by Orlando Bloom, and Elizabeth Swann, played by Keira Knightley.
The story follows their quest to rescue Elizabeth from the cursed crew of the Black Pearl, led by Captain Hector Barbossa, portrayed by Geoffrey Rush. Sequels like Dead Man’s Chest (2006) and At World’s End (2007) expand the mythology, with Jack Sparrow facing off against Davy Jones and the East India Trading Company.
Later instalments include On Stranger Tides (2011), where Jack Sparrow seeks the Fountain of Youth, encountering Blackbeard and his daughter Angelica. The series culminates with Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), where Jack Sparrow faces the undead pirate hunter Captain Salazar, played by Javier Bardem. Joined by young adventurers Henry Turner and Carina Smyth, portrayed by Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario (who signed for a sixth film), Jack seeks the Trident of Poseidon to break the curse that plagues him.
The last movie, Dead Men Tell No Tales, concludes with Jack Sparrow and his crew sailing off into the horizon, hinting at more adventures to come. The bonus scene after the credits features Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann sleeping in bed together when Will awakens to find their bedroom filling with seawater, indicating the return of Davy Jones. This teaser suggests that future instalments may explore the resurgence of old adversaries and new challenges for the beloved characters.
Inside the Magic will keep you up to date on all things Pirates of the Caribbean 6, including any information regarding Depp’s potential return.
Would you like to see Johnny Depp return to Pirates of the Caribbean in a supporting role?
