Ahoy, mateys! There’s a storm brewing on the horizon of the high seas of Hollywood, as the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise prepares to hoist its sails once again—but this time, it might be setting course without its most iconic buccaneer, Captain Jack Sparrow, portrayed by Johnny Depp.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the swashbuckling helmsman behind the series, has dropped some tantalizing hints about the future of these pirate tales. It’s been a whole seven years since we last set sail with the somewhat less-than-critically-acclaimed “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” Now, with whispers of a reboot echoing through the galleyways, fans are eager to know: will Depp return to his star-making role?
Bruckheimer, in a recent chinwag with ComicBook.com, was as cagey as a sailor negotiating with a mermaid, suggesting that the reboot is an opportunity to refresh the crew. It seems the new “Pirates” ship might be leaving port without Depp and Margot Robbie, who was rumored to helm a female-led spin-off that seems to have walked the plank.
The script for “Pirates 6” is in the capable hands of Craig Mazin, known for his work on “The Last of Us” and “Chernobyl,” along with “Shrek” writer Ted Elliot. Mazin hinted at a script so outlandish, Disney couldn’t resist its siren call. Yet, the specifics of this new adventure remain as mysterious as the Bermuda Triangle.
The speculation about Depp’s involvement comes amid a whirlpool of personal and legal controversies that have surrounded the actor in recent years. Despite this, Bruckheimer hasn’t entirely scuttled the idea of Depp’s return, expressing a wish to see him aboard again. However, as any seasoned pirate knows, the seas of showbiz are unpredictable.
For fans dreaming of a “Pirates” film steered by Robbie, it seems those hopes have been dashed against the rocks, with Robbie herself acknowledging that Disney wasn’t keen on charting that course.
So, as we await the next chapter in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” saga, the question remains: will Captain Jack Sparrow be at the helm, or is it time for new legends to be written in the logbook? One thing’s for sure, in the tumultuous waters of Hollywood, you can always expect the unexpected.
