Say what you will about the quality of the Pirates of the Caribbean films after the first three films, but Johnny Depp’s star power carried the franchise following the departure of series mainstays such as Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom.
Although 2011’s On Stranger Tides and 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales still had an ensemble cast with several members from the original trilogy reprising their roles, many still pinned the pair of movie’s commercial success to Johnny Depp. So, when a report surfaced on the 27th that Depp had accepted a $301 million deal to come back as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, fans rejoiced. But, as it turns out, this is all false.
A representative for the actor recently revealed to NBC News that the report is “made up.”
Perhaps the internet should have known better. Despite the millions of fans who petitioned for Depp to come back as Captain Jack Sparrow, Depp has repeated several times that he’s not coming back anymore. In fact, the recent rumor about his return is a direct reference to a famous moment from the Depp v Heard trial where Heard’s attorney, Ben Rottenborn, asked the Hollywood actor, “if Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film? Correct?” to which, Depp replied, “That is true, Mr. Rottenborn.”
Considering that the trial ended in Depp’s favor, fans are expecting the actor to resume working on his biggest franchises. But, when you think about it, a return is not as simple as it sounds. The way that things are right now, the actor just can’t come back to the big screen as Captain Jack Sparrow without serious repercussions. Despite Depp’s legion of fans, bringing him back for another go at a new Pirates of the Caribbean film will put Disney in hot water.
The good news here is that Depp is back to work, just not as Captain Jack Sparrow or any of his more familiar roles. Depp was recently spotted preparing to film Jeanne du Barry where he’d been cast as King Louis XV. Also, the future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is in good hands with Margot Robbie reportedly set to star in a female-led spin-off with Jerry Bruckheimer still attached as the producer.
