Following recent controversies, the actor was said to have left the franchise. According to a source close to the production, Johnny Depp could reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean film. The actor starred in all five films in the franchise, which began in 2003 with The Curse Of The Black Pearl. However, after the most recent film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, Depp purportedly split relations with Disney and would no longer play the character in any future projects.
This divorce occurred in the aftermath of the actor’s recent trials with ex-wife Amber Heard, who alleged that the Hollywood A-lister had physically and emotionally assaulted her. Depp and Heard’s feud began in 2019, when Depp sued Heard for defamation following a 2018 op-ed piece she wrote for The Washington Post claiming she was a victim of domestic abuse. The following year, the Aquaman actress countersued Depp, and the case quickly made headlines when it headed to trial in 2022.
Two trials were held, one in the United Kingdom and one in the United States. While Depp was never accused of rape in the UK libel case, he was judged to have subjected her to brutal domestic abuse. In the US case, however, her statements were proven to be mostly false. Despite her commitment to contest the US case’s verdict, Amber Heard eventually settled with Johnny Depp outside of court, paying the actor $1 million in December. In the midst of the Depp-Heard feud, Disney is said to have abandoned the Pirates of the Caribbean actor. Later in the trial, Depp stated that he would not return to Disney “for $300 million.”
Although neither party has stated that they want to reunite, Sean Bailey, the Disney Studios Motion Picture Production President, has hinted that Depp could reprise his legendary role in the upcoming picture. “We think we have a really good, exciting story that honours the films that have come before but also has something new to say,” he said of the upcoming picture, which will be the sixth in the franchise. When asked if Depp will appear in the picture, he stated that Disney was “noncommittal at this point.”
While this does not imply that the actor would resume his role as Jack Sparrow anytime soon, it does confirm that Disney has not made any definitive decisions to exclude Depp from future films. Speculation regarding Depp’s involvement in the new production began earlier this year, when the film’s producer stated that he would “love” to see the actor reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. On the red carpet at this year’s Oscars, Jerry Bruckheimer told Entertainment Weekly, “We’re all working on it [the next Pirates film].” We’ll see how it goes. We’re quite excited; I believe we’ll have a wonderful screenplay when, and we’re almost there.”
When asked if there was any news about Depp’s possible return, he said, “We’ll see.” It would be fantastic. I can only say that I would love to have him in the film.” In other Depp news, the actor attended the prestigious Cannes picture Festival in favor of his latest picture, Jeanne Du Barry, last month.
His presence at the film festival sparked debate online, despite the fact that he and his castmates received a seven-minute standing ovation at a screening. In response to the outcry, he declared, “I don’t feel boycotted by Hollywood because I don’t think about Hollywood.” It’s a bizarre, amusing time when everyone wishes they could be themselves but can’t. They must follow the person in front of them. I wish you the best if you want to live that life.”