Johnny Depp Is Reportedly Returning to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ But Not as the Lead

Few franchises have faced as much development uncertainty as ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ It’s been nearly a decade since ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ graced theaters in 2017, and during this time, fans have seen countless rumors about a sixth installment that never materialized.

Central to this speculation has been the question of whether Johnny Depp would reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. The actor’s departure from the franchise amid highly publicized legal issues left the character’s future unclear, even as Disney maintained that a new film was on the horizon.

This past weekend, however, that uncertainty began to dissipate. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed at D23 that discussions with Depp are officially in progress, providing the clearest update on the character’s future in years.

“We’re talking with Johnny [Depp], we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done,” Bruckheimer told Deadline after the panel.

However, the more significant twist in this update is not just Depp’s potential return, but the nature of that return.

According to sources from Deadline, the upcoming film “won’t feel like just the nth tale of Captain Jack Sparrow.” Instead, the next installment is said to focus on a new protagonist played by Margot Robbie, with Sparrow taking on a supporting role. This means that the character who has led all five previous ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films may finally be stepping aside.

Robbie’s connection to the franchise isn’t new; she was initially linked to a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ spinoff project back in 2020. Bruckheimer has reiterated her involvement multiple times, even as the broader plans for the film have evolved.

What’s changed now is the approach. Rather than a standalone spinoff, the current plan integrates Robbie’s character into the main sequel as the lead, with Depp’s Sparrow included as a supporting figure rather than the focal point of the narrative.

For a franchise built around one iconic portrayal, this marks a significant shift. Depp first embodied Jack Sparrow in 2003’s ‘Curse of the Black Pearl’ and continued through ‘Dead Man’s Chest’ in 2006, ‘At World’s End’ in 2007, ‘On Stranger Tides’ in 2011, and ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ in 2017.

Over those five films, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ has amassed approximately 4.5 billion dollars globally, establishing itself as one of Disney’s most profitable live-action franchises. However, interest had waned by the time ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ was released, which ended up being the lowest-grossing entry in the series, earning around 795.9 million dollars.

This box office decline is likely why Disney seems eager to expand the narrative beyond Sparrow, utilizing Robbie to usher in a new era while still providing longtime fans with a touch of nostalgia through Depp’s involvement. Whether audiences will accept this shift remains uncertain.

Initial reactions online have been mixed, with some fans viewing the change as a natural progression, while others express frustration at the idea of Sparrow taking a backseat in his own franchise. Given Depp’s pivotal role in shaping the series’ identity, this tension is unlikely to dissipate before the film’s release.

As of now, no official casting announcements or script details have been confirmed by Disney, and Bruckheimer’s comments indicate that the project is still very much in development. For the time being, it appears that Robbie will be taking the lead, with Sparrow along for the journey.

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