‘Pirates of the Caribbean 6’ Talks Heat Up as Johnny Depp Eyes a Jack Sparrow Comeback
Johnny Depp’s career has been on a slow, deliberate climb back into the Hollywood spotlight after years away from major studio films. Between his defamation trial fallout and a string of smaller European projects, fans have spent nearly a decade wondering whether the actor would ever return to the role that made him a household name.
That speculation has centered almost entirely on one franchise, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ which has sat dormant since 2017’s ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ became the lowest grossing entry in the series with $795.9 million worldwide. Despite that soft landing, the saga remains one of Disney’s most valuable properties, having pulled in $4.5 billion globally across five films.
Now the industry has its clearest signal yet that a sixth movie is actually moving forward. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, speaking with Deadline at Disney’s D23 Expo, confirmed that talks are underway to bring Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow, telling the outlet “we’re talking with Johnny, we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done.”
The update tracks with a development history that has been anything but smooth. Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick were originally attached to the follow-up before Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott reportedly took over script duties, and Bruckheimer confirmed to TheWrap back in September 2025 that producers had developed two different scripts along the way.
What may be most interesting for longtime fans is who the story actually centers on. Sources close to the project indicate the next chapter won’t simply be another Jack Sparrow adventure, but will instead focus on Margot Robbie’s character, with Sparrow reduced to a supporting role. It is being described less as a straight sequel and more as an evolution of the franchise rather than a continuation of it.
Depp’s own schedule suggests he is easing back into blockbuster visibility rather than diving straight in. He is currently leading Paramount’s ‘Ebenezer,’ a big budget take on ‘A Christmas Carol’ set for a November release, and has Lionsgate’s 2027 thriller ‘Day Drinker’ lined up as well. He even promoted ‘Ebenezer’ with a surprise in-character appearance at San Diego Comic-Con in July.
None of this guarantees Depp will actually end up back on a pirate ship. Representatives for Depp, Bruckheimer, and Disney have not commented further, and no deal has officially closed. But after years of on-again, off-again rumors, a producer confirming active screenplay work is about as concrete as this story has gotten.
For a franchise built on unpredictable comebacks, this one might be the most fitting yet. Do you think Jack Sparrow deserves one more voyage, or should Margot Robbie take the helm without him?
