Few actors are as synonymous with the characters they play as Johnny Depp is with Captain Jack Sparrow. Being one of the few actors to star in all films of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, it is common knowledge that without the actor, there are no Pirates films.

However, the actor was removed from the franchise after Depp was accused of domestic abuse by his ex-wife Amber Heard. While Depp has been ostracized from the industry due to the allegations, producer Jerry Bruckheimer says that a sixth Pirates film is in development and that he would love to have Depp back in action.

Why Was Johnny Depp Removed From The Pirates Franchise?

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow

It is impossible to imagine anyone other than Johnny Depp in the iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in the adventure franchise Pirates of the Caribbean. While many actors such as Matthew McConaughey, Cary Elwes, Christopher Walken, and Hugh Jackman were considered for the role, Depp was chosen as director Gore Verbinsky reportedly felt that he had a certain edge to him.

Depp began his tenure as the bumbling pirate in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. He starred along with Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley. The film was a surprising hit at the box office, earning over $654 million at the box office and spawning four more sequels, all of which starred Johnny Depp in the lead role.

Johnny Depp

In 2018, Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of domestic abuse in an op-ed article. Following the allegations, Johnny Depp was fired from his role as Gillert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts franchise and was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen. He was also reportedly let go from the Pirates franchise.

Depp sued Heard for defamation and during last year’s highly publicized trial, he and his team of lawyers argued that the allegations had caused a strain in his relationship with Disney and he also lost out on a $22 million payday from the sixth Pirates film.

Will Johnny Depp Return To The Pirates Franchise?

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial ended last year and Depp seems to have started planning his return to the big screen. An insider told People Magazine that he would be open to coming back to the Pirates franchise if the script was good, despite stating earlier that his relationship with the studio had been strained.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer supported his long-term collaborator Johnny Depp and gave a bit more information about the project earlier this year when he was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight at the Academy Awards. He said,
“We’re all working on it [the next Pirates film]. We’ll see how it comes out. We’re very excited, I think we’re gonna have a great screenplay when, and we’re getting close…I  would love to have him in the movie – that’s all that I can tell you.”
The sixth Pirates film is currently in development with The Last of Us creator Craig Mazin writing a script along with Ted Elliott. Earlier, it was reported that Margot Robbie would be starring in a Pirates-based spin-off, but no new developments have been announced.

All Pirates of the Caribbean movies are available for streaming on Disney Plus.