Johnny Depp Reveals the One Reason He’d Return as Captain Jack Sparrow
Few actors are as closely tied to a character as Johnny Depp is to Captain Jack Sparrow. The eccentric pirate became the face of Disney’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise, and fans have spent years wondering whether he will ever wear the dreadlocks again.
Depp last played Jack Sparrow in ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’, the fifth film in the series. The 63-year-old actor has now been away from the role for nearly a decade. Depp has now explained what could bring him back. While promoting his new film ‘Ebenezer’, he told Entertainment Tonight what it would take for him to play Jack Sparrow again.
According to Depp, if things are exactly where they need to be, the only involvement he really wants is to send the character off on a better note. He didn’t confirm a return, and he joked that fans might not get to see them set sail, adding that they might do it privately.
He was clear about one thing, though. Depp said he trusts longtime franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer completely, saying he would go to work with him tomorrow on anything and describing their bond as a deep friendship.
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Depp’s comments line up with recent remarks from Bruckheimer. At D23 this summer, the producer told Deadline that he was talking with Johnny about the franchise. Bruckheimer has also said the 2 had discussed a sixth film and were working on a screenplay. According to Entertainment Tonight’s correspondent, he described the pair as talking about kicking things off again.
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Still, nothing has been officially confirmed. Talk of another ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie has gone on for years without a greenlight. Behind the scenes, Disney appears interested in setting sail again. Puck’s Matthew Belloni reports that Disney film chiefs Alan Bergman and David Greenbaum want to greenlight another movie, ideally with Depp involved.
Margot Robbie has been attached to lead a ‘Pirates’ project since 2020, but she has reportedly passed on as many as 4 scripts. Writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns is now working on a draft that centers Robbie’s character while leaving room for Jack Sparrow in a supporting role.
That setup could fit Depp’s wishes well. A smaller role would let him give Jack Sparrow a proper farewell without carrying the entire film. Depp isn’t the only franchise veteran facing questions about a return. Orlando Bloom, who played Will Turner in 4 of the 5 films, has also addressed whether he might come back.
For many fans, the idea of the original cast reuniting for a final adventure is a big part of the appeal. Whether Disney can bring everyone back together, though, remains uncertain. For now, Depp is focused on ‘Ebenezer’, which has been keeping him busy on the press tour. His comments suggest he’s open to the idea, but only if the project feels right.
His wish to send Jack Sparrow off on a better note suggests he isn’t fully satisfied with how the character’s journey has ended so far. If Disney and Bruckheimer can deliver a script that meets his expectations, fans may get the farewell they’ve been hoping for. Until there’s an official announcement, though, Captain Jack’s return remains a possibility on the horizon and not a sure thing.
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