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Is Disney Replacing Johnny Depp With Their Original Choice for Jack Sparrow?

In 2003, Disney released the first film in one of its most successful live-action franchises of all time, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The film starred Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. Depp has played a number of iconic roles in his life — like Edward Scissorhands and the Mad Hatter — but Jack Sparrow is one of his most loved.

Johnny Depp Orlando Bloom Pirates of the Caribbean
Credit: Disney

But would it shock you to know that Johnny Depp was NOT Disney’s first choice?

According to reports, Disney actually wanted Canadian actor Jim Carrey to play the worst pirate we’ve ever heard of. Carrey is most well-known to fans for his roles in hit films like Dumb & Dumber, The Mask, Liar Liar, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Carrey auditioned for the role, and Disney allegedly made him an offer.

Jim Carrey Ace Ventura Pet Detective
Credit: Warner Bros.

However, Carrey had to turn down the role because he was set to begin work on Bruce Almighty and scheduling would not work. But could Disney be reaching out to him for Pirates of the Caribbean 6?

We don’t know much about Disney’s new movie, but we do know that Disney recently bought an idea from Last of Us showrunner, Craig Mazin. Mazin himself said that he was surprised Disney purchased the story because of how “weird” it is. The script for this new story is being written by Ted Elliot. Elliot has worked with Disney on a number of projects, including Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, and Aladdin.

johnny depp pirates caribbean oscar
Credit: Disney

Could Johnny Depp Return After All?

Unfortunately, the odds of Depp returning as Captain Jack and slim to none. Disney dropped Depp shortly after an OpEd was published in The Washington Post accusing the actor of domestic abuse. The OpEd was written by Depp’s ex-wife, Amber Heard. Depp ended up suing Heard for defamation and was awarded $10 million in damages.

Johnny Depp Amber Heard Trial
Credit: Netflix

Related: Amber Heard Accuses Costar of “Tormenting” Her By Dressing Like Johnny Depp

During the trial, Depp revealed that being dropped from Pirates of the Caribbean 6 had cost him approximately $22 million. He also said that he would not go back to work with Disney, even if he was offered $300 million and 1 million alpacas. However, a source close to Depp has said that, if the stars aligned and the project was right, he would consider forgiving the Mouse House.

Pirates of the Caribbean reboot
Credit: Disney

Related: Johnny Depp Thanks Company For Standing by Him – It’s Definitely NOT Disney

Even though Disney distanced itself from Depp before he had been found guilty of any wrongdoing, they would reportedly like to mend their relationship with him. A Disney executive has said that the door is open, and the two sides could team up once again. Pirates of the Caribbean executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer has also said that he would like to work with Depp again.

Martin Klebba, Pirates of the Caribbean
Credit: Disney

Bruckheimer and Depp became close friends during the years they worked on the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Depp appeared in all five films — Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man’s Chest, At World’s End, On Stranger Tides, and Dead Men Tell No Tales. Bruckheimer served as executive producer on all those films.

In addition to losing his role as Captain Jack, Depp was also dropped as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them franchise. Fantastic Beasts is a spinoff of the Harry Potter franchise.

Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

One Comment

  1. If Johnny Depp is not Capt Jack Sparrow, my family and friends will not see the movie. Johnny Depp is the only Captain Jack Sparrow

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