- Primary Subject: Pirates of the Caribbean 6
- Key Update: Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed two separate scripts are in a horse race for development, with one being a reboot and the other potentially featuring Johnny Depp's return.
- Status: In Development
- Last Verified: April 27, 2026
- Quick Answer: Disney is actively developing a sixth film with two competing scripts; while a reboot is planned, Johnny Depp’s return remains possible if the script excels.
Disney has reportedly been developing ideas for a potential Pirates of the Caribbean 6 since the release of Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017, but nothing has officially come to fruition yet.
Back in 2020, the sixth installment was widely reported to be in development, including talks of a female-led reboot that could star Margot Robbie, though this was never confirmed.
Almost a decade has now passed since fans last saw the franchise’s trademark swashbuckling adventure. Is Pirates of the Caribbean 6 still happening?
Will there be Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
In 2019, Disney moved through various stages of developing Pirates of the Caribbean 6, but multiple issues, including Johnny Depp’s legal battle with his former wife Amber Heard, slowed the film’s progress.
Since then, little has been done to push the project forward. However, that may be starting to change, as producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed that Depp could return to lead the film–under one condition.
“If he likes the way the part’s written,” he told Collider.
While Disney has yet to officially announce the new movie, Bruckheimer assured fans that they are “still working on a screenplay” and are even “close on part of it.”
“Jeff Nathanson (screenwriter of the last entry, 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales) is working on a script. We have another one… We have two, and we don't know who's going to win the horse race at this point,” he continued. “But hopefully in the next month, I'll have a script, and maybe Disney will want to make it.”
What to Expect from Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
Dead Men Tell No Tales shows Henry Turner breaking the Trident of Poseidon, which ends all sea curses and frees Will Turner from his role as captain of the Flying Dutchman–a duty he took on after Davy Jones’ death in At World’s End.
This allowed Will to reunite with the love of his life, Elizabeth Turner, and their son, Henry.
Elsewhere, Hector Barbossa sacrificed his life while battling Captain Salazar to save his daughter, Carina Smyth.
The film’s post-credits scene then teased a possible return for Davy Jones, as a shadowy figure resembling him appeared behind a sleeping Will Turner.
When Will woke up, the floor was shown covered in barnacles and water, hinting that Jones may not be gone after all. Given that setup, there’s a strong chance his return could be explored in Pirates of the Caribbean 6.
However, with Jerry Bruckheimer suggesting that Johnny Depp might return, the focus could instead shift to the long-awaited comeback of Captain Jack Sparrow, which could reshape the future of the franchise.
Either way, fans are still eagerly waiting to see the beloved series sail back onto the big screen.
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