Bruckheimer Confirms Talks with Depp
At Disney's D23 expo, producer Jerry Bruckheimer told Deadline that discussions with Johnny Depp are underway for the next 'Pirates of the Caribbean' installment. He mentioned they are working on a screenplay and hope to complete the project. This update comes after years of speculation about Depp's potential return to the franchise.[S1][S2][S3]
According to Deadline's sources, the sixth film might not center on Captain Jack Sparrow but instead focus on a new protagonist, reportedly played by Margot Robbie, with Sparrow as a side character. This would mark an evolution of the franchise, moving beyond the previous five films that grossed $4.5 billion worldwide.[S1][S3]
Depp's Career and Legal Battles
Depp first portrayed Jack Sparrow in 2003's 'The Curse of the Black Pearl,' earning an Oscar nomination. He reprised the role in four sequels, with the last, 'Dead Men Tell No Tales,' released in 2017. The franchise has been on hold since then, with various writers attached over the years.[S2][S3][S4]
Depp's return follows his legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, including a 2022 defamation trial where both were found liable. He has since been rebuilding his career with projects like 'Ebenezer' and 'Day Drinker.' Bruckheimer had previously said in 2022 that a return was not happening at that point.[S2][S3][S4]
Future of the Franchise
The development of 'Pirates 6' has seen several writers, including Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Craig Mazin, and Ted Elliott. Bruckheimer confirmed in 2025 that Margot Robbie was considered for a separate version. The franchise's last film was its lowest-grossing, earning $795.9 million worldwide.[S1][S3][S4]
