For years, Disney kept its sails pointed away from Johnny Depp. The fallout in 2018—fueled by his legal disputes with Amber Heard—seemed to slam the door on any chance of him returning as Captain Jack Sparrow. Depp himself even declared during the 2022 defamation trial that he wouldn’t come back “for $300 million and a million alpacas.”
But in Hollywood, tides turn quickly. Over the past year, talk of Depp’s return in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 has grown louder, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirming that conversations have happened. According to Bruckheimer, Depp is open to the idea—if the script is compelling enough. Behind the scenes, writers including The Last of Us co-creator Craig Mazin, franchise veteran Ted Elliott, and Dead Men Tell No Tales writer Jeff Nathanson have been shaping a story Bruckheimer calls “amazing” in its final act.
One Article Tries to Sink the Comeback
Just as it seemed momentum was fully on Depp’s side, Gizmodo released a piece making a strong case against bringing him back. The article claims Captain Jack had already “overstayed his welcome” before Depp’s personal life became tabloid material. It argues that a reboot should stand on its own rather than forcing the character into it—and if the only way forward is with Depp, perhaps the series should be left behind entirely.
It’s a view that stands in stark contrast to fan sentiment. Social media is full of fans declaring “No Depp, no Pirates,” pointing to the failed Margot Robbie-led spinoff and lackluster interest in a fresh reboot as proof that audiences want the original swagger and charm that only Depp’s Sparrow delivers. Many compare it to trying to make Indiana Jones without Harrison Ford or Rocky without Sylvester Stallone—technically possible, but likely doomed to disappoint.
What Disney Has to Weigh
For Disney, the decision comes down to more than just nostalgia—it’s about box office potential. Years of development on alternate projects have yielded little traction, while Depp’s absence has done nothing to reignite excitement for the brand. Bringing back Captain Jack could be the simplest way to restore the franchise’s financial wind in its sails.
Whether Gizmodo’s opposition will influence the final call remains to be seen. But if Disney is paying attention to its audience, the ship for Depp’s return may have already left the dock.
