A Pirates of the Caribbean 6, if it ever happens, will see Depp being replaced. The actor became estranged from Disney amid Amber Heard’s domestic abuse accusations against him, and his later defamation suit against her, leading to a very ugly public trial.

But such presumptions about Depp’s POTC 6 status may have been premature, as Variety reports that there’s a path for him to come back, if he and Disney are able to put aside their differences. The unconfirmed story notes that Disney has not yet spoken to Depp, but says producer Jerry Bruckheimer has been developing two different scripts, one of which would allow the star to return. "Nothing has been ruled out,” says one of Variety’s sources.

What This Means For Pirates Of The Caribbean 6

Disney Is Not Ready To Give Up On Its Massive Adventure Franchise

Disney’s $4.5 billion franchise has been on ice since 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales. There was nothing wrong with that film’s box office performance – it grossed $795 million worldwide, proving the franchise’s ongoing viability – but there was a lot wrong with the controversy swirling around Depp, who has been languishing in exile since shortly after that film's release. Depp did win his highly-publicized defamation trial, however.

Possible Depp replacements in POTC have been bandied about ever since the actor was cut loose by Disney.

Disney may have publicly cut ties with Depp, but the studio has not yet given up on the franchise the star helped launch on its long, lucrative voyage. POTC 6 was confirmed in 2018, with Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick reportedly working on the script. In 2019, Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott were reported to have replaced Reese and Wernick, but Pirates 5 director Joachim Rønning was still in the fold. In 2024, Bruckheimer stated that Pirates 6 would be a reboot, and later acknowledged speaking to Depp about a possible return.

Our Take On Depp Returning To Pirates Of The Caribbean

The Franchise Might Be In Trouble Without Jack Sparrow

Possible Depp replacements in POTC have been bandied about ever since the actor was cut loose by Disney. Barbie star Margot Robbie was at one point reported to be ing the franchise as the lead in a spinoff, but that idea always seemed a bit weak, as if Disney were just grasping for famous names to attach to the franchise, in hopes of keeping it alive in the public's mind. Depp’s return seems increasingly likely, given Bruckheimer’s 2024 remarks, and this new report suggesting a version of the POTC 6 script is being developed that includes Jack Sparrow.

Depp may still be somewhat radioactive after Heard’s accusations, and their much-discussed defamation trial. However, last year Depp saw his French-language film Jeanne du Barry receive a limited American release, marking his U.S. cinema comeback. That comeback will continue with the thriller Day Drinker, which sees Depp re-teaming with Penelope Cruz.

Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man) will reportedly direct Cruz and Depp in Day Drinker

Depp has taken a few small steps toward a full Hollywood return. No development would be bigger for him, however, than playing Jack Sparrow again. The public is indeed quicker to forgive than the Hollywood establishment, as proven this summer when audiences re-embraced the allegedly toxic Will Smith in the surprise smash Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. Pirates of the Caribbean 6 would likely be at least as big a hit as Pirates 5, with Depp back in the lead. Without Depp, the sequel would be a much shakier proposition. Everything depends, it seems, on Depp and Disney burying the hatchet.

Source: Variety