Captain Jack Sparrow may be heading back to sea. At Disney's D23 event in Anaheim, producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that conversations are underway with Johnny Depp about returning to the franchise. "We're talking with Johnny, we're working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done," he told Deadline.
No deal has been announced and neither Depp's representatives nor Disney responded to press requests for comment, meaning this is still very much a work in progress rather than a confirmed casting.
Even if Depp does return, Jack Sparrow would not necessarily reclaim the lead. Sources told Deadline that the sixth film is expected to center on a new protagonist played by Margot Robbie, with Sparrow appearing in a supporting capacity. The shift would effectively reframe the franchise around a new character while keeping a thread of continuity.
The franchise has been dormant since 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales. Across five films, it has grossed over $4.5 billion worldwide, with Depp's performance as Sparrow earning him an Oscar nomination for the original Curse of the Black Pearl back in 2003.
Depp's relationship with Disney grew complicated after abuse allegations involving ex-wife Amber Heard became public. During his 2022 defamation trial, which he won, Depp described feeling betrayed by the studio. Bruckheimer has remained a consistent advocate for his return throughout, saying last year that Depp would come back if he approved of how the character was written on the page.
Depp already has a major studio release lined up outside the franchise, starring as Ebenezer Scrooge in Ti West's dark reimagining Ebenezer, set for a November 13, 2026 theatrical release.
