Avast Ye! Disney Once Saved Our Favorite Buccaneer’s Career, Despite Current Amber Heard Drama

The drama between the Walt Disney Company and our favorite swash-buckling pirate Captain Jack Sparrow—better known as Johnny Depp—has been going on for years now, ever since the Mouse House cut ties with him during the court case he was embroiled in with his ex-wife Amber Heard. Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse, and while fighting these allegations, Depp ended up being dropped by many of the brands he had collaborations with.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow

Johnny Depp brought Captain Jack Sparrow to life. All Pirates of the Caribbean fans will undoubtedly agree that it was Depp who made the character come alive and give audiences one of the most iconic characters to grace the big screens in a long time. Depp has also gone on record and said he brought much of himself to the role, giving Captain Jack Sparrow the energy and vibe we now associate strongly with him.

Robin Williams Might Have Been Captain Jack Sparrow

As recently reported by FandomWire, there was one version of the movie directed by Steven Spielberg wherein Johnny Depp was nowhere to be seen as the iconic pirate. In the early 90s, renowned screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio wanted to revitalize the pirate genre in cinema, penning the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. Steven Spielberg heard of the script and expressed interest in directing it.

He wanted Robin Williams as Jack Sparrow or classically charismatic actors like Bill Murray or Steve Martin. However, Disney didn’t share this vision and instead shelved the project. In the early aughts, specifically in 2002, producer Jerry Bruckheimer took charge and brought the film back to life. He hand-picked Gore Verbinski as director for the movi, whicht was the stepping stone to casting Depp. 

Related: Johnny Depp Considers Returning to Disney

Johnny Depp wasn’t the first choice for the role, rather they were considering actors like Michael Keaton, Jim Carrey, and Christopher Walken; it was director Gore Verbinski who suggested Johnny Depp, and as they say, the rest is history! 

It’s worth noting, however, that if Disney hadn’t wanted to hold out for the right director and vision, Johnny Depp may have never gotten the role that cemented his place as one of the most iconic characters of all time.