Disney have finally broken their silence on Johnny Depp’s future as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates franchise.
Disney has not ruled out the possibility of Johnny Depp making a comeback as the famous Captain in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean film. The 59-year-old actor was removed from the franchise by Disney in 2018 as they aimed to inject a “new energy” into the beloved movies.
However, in a recent interview with The New York Times, Sean Bailey, the President of Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, discussed the future of the sixth installment and left the door open for Depp’s potential return. He stated, “We think we have a really good, exciting story that honors the films that have come before but also has something new to say.”
When asked about Depp’s involvement in the project, Bailey responded by saying that the studio was “noncommittal at this point.” While it’s not a definitive yes, it also isn’t a firm no.
Depp last portrayed the swashbuckling character in 2017’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Speculation about his return to the franchise also circulated last year. At that time, it was reported that the actor was in discussions with Disney for a “$300 million deal” following his victory in the defamation trial against his ex-wife, Amber Heard. However, sources later confirmed that the information was false.
During the trial, Depp’s legal team claimed that he had suffered a loss of a $22 million payday after Heard published an op-ed in the Washington Post in 2018. While the op-ed didn’t explicitly mention Depp, it strongly implied that he was a domestic abuser. Depp expressed feeling “guilty until proven innocent” in his interactions with Disney executives and stated that he would not work with the studio again.
In the defamation trial, the jury ruled in Depp’s favor on all three of his claims related to specific statements made in the 2018 piece. After a six-week trial, it was determined that Heard had defamed Depp, and she was ordered to pay him over $8 million in damages. However, they later reached an agreement for $1 million to resolve their legal battle.
In 2018, a Disney producer stated that Depp would not be asked to return, emphasizing the desire to bring a “new energy” to the beloved franchise. One of the ideas to breathe new life into the series was a female-led Pirates of the Caribbean film, featuring Margot Robbie. However, in an interview with Vanity Fair last year, Robbie revealed that the anticipated film with her involvement would not come to fruition.
Depp has recently experienced positive developments, receiving a standing ovation at the premiere of his comeback film, Jeanne du Barry, during the Cannes Film Festival last month. The acclaimed actor, who portrays King Louis XV in the period drama, was visibly moved during the seven-minute standing ovation, accompanied by director and co-star Maïwenn. This film marks Depp’s first project since facing repercussions in Hollywood following Heard’s abuse allegations in 2016.
The 76th Film Festival also marked Depp’s first red carpet appearance since his court victory. The Edward Scissorhands star was welcomed with applause and supported by a multitude of adoring fans upon his arrival. Delighted to be back in the Hollywood scene after being dropped from several projects during the trial, including the Fantastic Beasts film franchise, Depp couldn’t hide his joy.
