
Johnny Depp’s journey as Captain Jack Sparrow has spanned two decades, and his return to the Pirates of the Caribbeanfranchise could still come to fruition.

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The Oscar-nominated actor first set sail in 2003’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, a collaboration between Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. That film launched a global phenomenon, and Depp’s portrayal of the eccentric pirate instantly became a cultural icon. Despite early skepticism from Disney executives about his unconventional take on the character, Jack Sparrow would go on to define Depp’s career and anchor the billion-dollar franchise.
Over the years, the series expanded with Dead Man’s Chest (2006), At World’s End (2007), On Stranger Tides (2010), and Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017). Along the way, Depp shared the screen with co-stars Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Swann) and Orlando Bloom (Will Turner), helping to turn the series into a box office powerhouse.

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As one of Hollywood’s highest-paid stars, Depp commanded massive salaries for each installment. Even now, Jack Sparrow remains one of his most widely recognized roles—and one of the most requested by fans. But the actor’s tenure as the swashbuckling antihero hit a wall after a series of highly publicized legal battles involving his former spouse, actress Amber Heard.
Depp’s legal troubles began with a 2020 libel case in the U.K., in which he sued the British tabloid The Sun for labeling him a “wife-beater.” After a contentious trial and testimony from both Depp and Heard, the court ruled against the actor. Justice Andrew Nicol found the claims to be “substantially true.”

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That ruling, followed by a rejected appeal in 2021, severely impacted Depp’s career. He lost his role in Disney’s Pirates franchise and was also removed from Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts series, where he had portrayed the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.
The situation escalated in 2022 with a defamation trial in the United States, stemming from Heard’s Washington Post op-ed discussing her experience with domestic and sexual violence. Depp sued her for $50 million; she countered with a $100 million lawsuit. The trial, held in Fairfax County, Virginia, played out over six weeks under Judge Penney Azcarate.

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The jury sided mostly with Depp, awarding him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages (later reduced to $350,000 due to state limits). Heard received $2 million in compensatory damages but no punitive award.
The courtroom drama inevitably spilled into both stars’ careers. During cross-examination, Heard’s attorney Ben Rottenborn asked Depp about ever returning to the Pirates franchise. “The fact is, Mr. Depp, if Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film? Correct?” To which Depp replied: “That is true, Mr. Rottenborn.”

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Yet time may have shifted the tides. In the aftermath of the trial, reports began to circulate suggesting Depp could, in fact, be open to donning the tricorne once more. Longtime franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer even shared in March that development on Pirates of the Caribbean 6 was underway—and that he’d like to see Depp return to the helm.
The state of the franchise remains in flux, with several competing narratives swirling around its future. Disney has yet to formally announce which direction the next film will take. However, Bruckheimer has made clear he hopes Depp is part of the next chapter.

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The Future of the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise
Two separate projects are currently believed to be in development: the sixth installment of the main series and a standalone spinoff starring Barbie actress Margot Robbie. Robbie previously told the press that her film was no longer moving forward, but Bruckheimer later countered that the project was still active, just not prioritized until Pirates 6 takes shape.
Despite the ambiguity, Variety reported late last year that “nothing has been ruled out” regarding Depp’s involvement, even with the sixth movie rumored to be a soft reboot. In February 2025, speculation heated up again as word spread that Disney was preparing Pirates 6 on a Hollywood soundstage—with Depp possibly onboard.

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Now, Orlando Bloom, who starred alongside Depp in the original series, has spoken out about reuniting with his co-stars for the upcoming new installments. When discussing the various options Disney has for the direction of Pirates of the Caribbean‘s return to the big screen, Bloom outlined his take on its future.
“There’s been all kinds of things. Who knows? There’s been talk. I can’t say anything at the moment, because I really don’t know,” Bloom said in an interview on This Morning recently. “They’re definitely… I think they’re trying to work out what it would all look like. I, personally, think it would be great to get the band back together. That would be great. But there are always different ideas, so we’ll see where it lands.”

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Depp’s Return Could Cost Disney Millions of Dollars
Should Depp officially return to the franchise, Disney would need to open its checkbook. While it’s unlikely the actor would command the $300 million figure referenced in court, his previous salaries suggest the cost would be substantial. According to Screen Rant, Depp earned:
- $10 million for The Curse of the Black Pearl
- $60 million for Dead Man’s Chest
- $50 million for At World’s End
- $55 million for On Stranger Tides
- $90 million for Dead Men Tell No Tales

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A sixth film could potentially eclipse even those earnings, depending on Depp’s negotiating power and the film’s projected performance. That said, returning to the franchise in today’s volatile theatrical landscape is no sure bet. Recent box office misfires—including Disney’s Snow White (2025) and Captain America: Brave New World (2025)—underscore the risk of even the most recognizable IPs.
Still, fan support for Depp remains strong. Whether that passion translates to ticket sales is the big question. And as the actor’s own film Modi: Three Days on Wing of Madness (2024) hit screens last year, it’s clear he’s not waiting for the call, though he might just be ready to answer it.
What direction should Disney take with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!