Despite the last Pirates of the Caribbean installment receiving poor critical reception and underperforming at the box office compared to its predecessors, the franchise has generated over $4.5 billion to date. That kind of success leaves no doubt that Disney intends to revisit the property in the future. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that a reboot is in development, and according to reports, there’s already a version of the script that could pave the way for Johnny Depp’s return as Captain Jack Sparrow.
In a recent Variety opinion piece, which included insider details tied to Moana 2, it was noted that Disney is wrapping up a successful year thanks to blockbusters like Inside Out 2, Deadpool 3, Wolverine, and Alien: Romulus. However, doubts linger about whether this streak will continue into 2025, particularly due to controversies surrounding the live-action Snow White, which has faced backlash over "woke" elements and significant deviations from the original tale. Nonetheless, Pirates of the Caribbean remains one of Disney’s strongest cards to play.
According to the article, Walt Disney Pictures—the studio responsible for Disney’s live-action films—has not yet reached out to Johnny Depp, the franchise’s former anchor. However, insiders claim Bruckheimer and his creative partners are developing two versions of the script for the new Pirates film, one of which leaves room for Depp’s potential return. Any decision would depend on whether Disney and the actor can mend fences. “Nothing is off the table,” a source told Variety.
Depp’s Rift with Disney
The hurdle lies in Depp’s fractured relationship with Disney. During his contentious divorce from Amber Heard, she accused him of domestic abuse in a widely publicized op-ed. Both parties pursued legal action against each other, resulting in a defamation case that Depp lost in the UK. However, a U.S. jury later ruled in his favor during a Virginia trial, which many viewed as a vindication.
Throughout the trial, Depp expressed his desire to give Jack Sparrow a proper send-off in another Pirates film but also voiced deep disappointment with Disney for severing ties with him before his innocence or guilt could be determined. In 2022, Depp firmly stated he had no interest in collaborating with Disney again. The question remains whether his stance has softened—or if there’s an amount of money that might persuade him otherwise.
The Reboot
A Pirates reboot is confirmed to be in development, and at one point, a Margot Robbie-led female spinoff was also considered. The reboot is expected to feature a new cast, but Bruckheimer has repeatedly expressed his hope for Depp’s return. Meanwhile, Depp is experiencing a career resurgence, working with Terry Gilliam and reportedly planning future collaborations with Tim Burton. Whether this Hollywood renaissance will include a return to his most iconic role is yet to be seen.
