Franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer has said that he does not know if Johnny Depp will make an appearance in Disney’s forthcoming blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean 6. The as-yet-untitled sequel is currently in development at Disney, after being declared again in 2018, following the success of this fifth installment in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Me Tell No Tales.
This film, starring Depp, Rush, and Pirates newcomers Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, and Kaya Scodelario, was mauled by critics, but discovered relative success at the Box Office, bringing at a total of $794.8 million globally. But with Depp involved in several controversies and legal issues since the previous film was released, questions have remained about whether he would be involved this time around. The controversial celebrity is a mainstay of this franchise since the first film, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was unleashed on the world in 2003.
In a Zoom interview using Collider, Jerry Bruckheimer remarks on whether Depp will be involved in the long-gestating sequel. Along with the veteran, the manufacturer responded with no firm answers. Bruckheimer said: “The one [Pirates sequel] we’re developing right now, we’re not sure quite what Johnny’s function is going to be. So, we’re going to need to see.” These words appear to contradict reports from 2018 that said Disney wasn’t interested in Depp coming.
Bruckheimer also disclosed that Disney has to see it and that the script of the film is in the draft stage. Back when it had been announced in 2018, Deadpool writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese were connected to the undertaking. However, they left the job a year after, and scripting responsibilities were given to Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott. Mazin created Chernobyl for HBO, while Elliott was the scribe for its original Pirates film, and did duty on Depp vehicle The Lone Ranger.
It’ll be interesting to see if Depp gets involved in the project. He didn’t say it would not, although Bruckheimer’s remarks make it sound as though the movie will not center on the maverick actor’s Jack Sparrow. The fifth movie in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, certainly left options for the authors to use the personality, as Sparrow was seen sailing into the sunset because of the reinstated captain of the Black Pearl. There is also a strong suspicion that the movie will be a reboot, which might see the franchise reinvigorated.
For Depp, the move could seem to make sense. He’s in the process of mending his reputation, and the Pirates series was fertile ground for the actor, starting him as a bonafide box office star in 2003, and netting him an Oscar nomination to boot. There’s also an apparent appetite from fans for him to return. On the flip side, he may be reluctant to come back to the function back, for fear of it becoming stale (something many say already happened two films ago).
No matter Bruckheimer will certainly be interested in getting Depp back for Pirates of the Caribbean 6, as he is undoubtedly the face of the series. How important his role will be, and whether Disney buys into the notion, whether he seems to remain unsure at this point.
