Disney Breaks Silence on Johnny Depp’s Future as Captain Jack Sparrow
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been a lucrative venture for The Walt Disney Company, raking in $4.5 billion. Starring Johnny Depp as the charismatic protagonist, alongside Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom, the franchise consists of five movies. The most recent installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, was released in 2017. However, much has transpired since then.
Amid allegations of physical and emotional abuse from his ex-wife, Amber Heard, Disney reportedly distanced itself from Johnny Depp. The former couple engaged in defamation trials in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Last summer, the US defamation trial concluded in a resounding victory for Depp. Despite Amber Heard’s vow to appeal the decision, she eventually settled with Depp out of court, paying him $1 million in December.
Some fans have held onto hope for Depp’s return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. However, during the defamation trial, the actor stated that he wouldn’t return to Disney “for $300 million.” Since then, he has relocated to Europe and is exploring his music and acting career overseas. He recently premiered a new movie, Jeanne Du Barry, at the Cannes Film Festival.
The possibility of a reunion between Depp and the franchise has been a lingering question. Although neither side has explicitly expressed their desire for a reunion, both understand the fans’ eagerness to see it happen. Depp has made occasional appearances as Captain Jack Sparrow for select fans. However, there’s a significant difference between occasional appearances and committing to a new Pirates of the Caribbean film.
As Depp continues to move forward in his career, including directing a movie in Europe, Disney has finally addressed the future of Pirates of the Caribbean 6 and Depp’s involvement. In an interview with the New York Times, Sean Bailey, the President of Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, expressed excitement about the franchise’s next stages. He stated that they have a compelling and fresh story that pays homage to the previous films while offering something new.
Regarding Depp’s status for the film, Bailey described Disney as “noncommittal at this point.” This statement leaves the door open for a potential return but doesn’t guarantee anything. Previously, Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer mentioned that Disney had developed two scripts, neither of which would likely feature Depp. However, it’s possible for the story to be adjusted or changed if the two parties reach an agreement in the future.
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