Johnny Depp May Return as Captain Jack Sparrow in New Pirates of the Caribbean Film

Johnny Depp could be returning to one of his most famous roles.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has revealed that talks are underway with Depp about bringing Captain Jack Sparrow back for a possible sixth Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

“We’re talking with Johnny, we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done,” Bruckheimer told Deadline at D23.

According to insiders cited by the outlet, the new film would primarily focus on a character played by Margot Robbie, while Depp could return as Jack Sparrow in a supporting role.

Depp first played the eccentric pirate in 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, directed by Gore Verbinski. The movie also starred Orlando Bloom as Will Turner and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann.

He went on to reprise the role in four more films: Dead Man’s Chest (2006), At World’s End (2007), On Stranger Tides (2011), and Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).

The franchise has been a major box-office success, earning more than $4.5 billion worldwide across its five films, according to The Numbers. However, the 2017 installment performed below its predecessor, adding uncertainty about the future of the series.

A sixth movie has been discussed for years. In 2018, screenwriter Stuart Beattie suggested that Depp might have finished his time as Sparrow.

“I think he’s had a great run,” Beattie told DailyMailTV, describing Jack Sparrow as a character that had become closely associated with Depp.

For now, Depp’s return is not officially confirmed, and the sixth film remains in development. If the project moves forward with Depp involved, his appearance would mark a significant return for one of the biggest characters of his career.

Depp is also preparing for another major role. He stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in the upcoming film Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, scheduled for release on November 13. The actor appeared in character at San Diego Comic-Con in July, looking dramatically different as the classic Dickens character.

The film will be Depp’s first major movie role since his highly publicized 2022 defamation case involving his former wife, Amber Heard. Depp sued Heard over a 2018 Washington Post opinion piece that he said falsely portrayed him as an abuser. He was ultimately awarded $1 million.