Johnny Depp could return as Captain Jack Sparrow in the sixth installment of «Pirates of the Caribbean.» Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that the filmmakers are in talks with the actor. At the same time, the project is still at the script stage. Kursiv LifeStyle explores why the sixth «Pirates of the Caribbean» film has yet to enter production stage after nearly 10 years.
If Johnny Depp returns, his Jack Sparrow is expected to be a side character. The main story is anticipated to focus on Margot Robbie’s protagonist.
«We’re talking with Johnny [Depp], we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done,» Deadline cited Bruckheimer as saying at the D23 event.
However, it is still too early to talk about Depp’s full-fledged return to the franchise. The script for the sixth film is still under development, while the actor himself had previously said that he had no interest in returning to the franchise because of his strained relationship with Disney. In 2025, Bruckheimer said that Depp might agree if he liked the role written for him.
The story of the sixth installment has been ongoing since 2017. At the time, Joachim Rønning, the director of the fifth film, said that «Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales» would mark the beginning of the final adventure. Shortly afterward, Bruckheimer confirmed that a sequel was in development, and Kaya Scodelario signed on to return. However, the project never made it into production.
In 2019, Disney announced that Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott would serve as the new screenwriters. In 2020, Bruckheimer said that the first draft of the script was nearly complete. However, during his 2022 trial involving Amber Heard, Depp said that he did not intend to return to the franchise. He cited his strained relationship with Disney following his removal from the project as the reason.
The situation then began to shift again. In 2022, reports emerged that Depp could return, but they were quickly denied. At the same time, Disney was developing a separate project with Margot Robbie. In 2023, screenwriter Craig Mazin said that the studio had bought the script for the sixth installment, which he and Elliott had written, but the writers’ strike delayed the project.
In 2025, Bruckheimer again confirmed that the film was in development. According to him, the filmmakers had two scripts at one point, but one of them was set aside. Margot Robbie remained attached to the project. Bruckheimer also admitted that «Pirates of the Caribbean» had proved to be the most difficult franchise for him.
There were also issues surrounding the return of other actors. Keira Knightley, who played Elizabeth Swann, had previously declined to take part in a new installment. In 2025, Bruckheimer also acknowledged that the script was still unfinished.
The focus has once again shifted to Depp. The actor played Jack Sparrow in all five previous films, and the franchise has grossed more than $4.5 billion worldwide. If negotiations are successful, Depp’s return could become one of Hollywood’s most notable comebacks in recent years.
The sixth «Pirates of the Caribbean» film does not yet have a release date. The filmmakers must first complete the script and reach agreements with the cast.
Previously, Kursiv LifeStyle reported that Johnny Depp was set to join the cast of the first English-language movie adaptation of the Russian literary classic «The Master and Margarita» by Mikhail Bulgakov.
