- Primary Subject: Johnny Depp's potential return as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6
- Key Update: Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed at D23 that active talks and script development are underway to bring Johnny Depp back.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: August 17, 2026
- Quick Answer: Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed at D23 that talks and screenplay development are actively underway to bring Johnny Depp back for Pirates of the Caribbean 6.
Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that there are talks to bring back Johnny Depp in the next installment.
In the last several years, Disney has been attempting to develop another movie in the beloved franchise. There have been rumors that they are planning to do a reboot with a new star, while there have also been reports that Depp might be brought back to reprise his iconic role as Jack Sparrow.
Now, it looks like the original star is indeed going to come back.
Is Johnny Depp Returning as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
Speaking with Deadline at the D23 event, Jerry Bruckheimer revealed that there have been talks for Johnny Depp to return in the sixth Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
While he didn't confirm whether the actor has agreed to star again in the franchise, he shared that the script is being worked on with Jack Sparrow as the lead.
"We’re talking with Johnny [Depp], we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done," the producer said.
Following years of controversies surrounding his divorce from Amber Heard, Depp has been attempting to make a Hollywood comeback. He is set to star in the upcoming Christmas film Ebenezer.
Previously, there were rumors that Margot Robbie was set to star in a reboot of the franchise, but a lack of updates suggests the idea may have already been shot down, and Disney is now focusing on continuing the franchise with Jack Sparrow as the lead once again.
For now, fans should stay tuned for more news and updates regarding the future of Pirates of the Caribbean, but based on what we're hearing, it looks like the project is finally getting traction.
The History of the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Pirates of the Caribbean transformed from a beloved Disney theme park ride into one of the most iconic cinematic sagas in modern pop culture. The films transport audiences into a stylized, fantastical reimagining of the Golden Age of Piracy, set primarily across the high seas from the late 17th to the mid-18th centuries.
At the heart of the narrative is the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow, portrayed by Johnny Depp, whose chaotic exploits are tied together alongside recurring characters like his cunning rival-turned-ally Hector Barbossa and loyal first mate Joshamee Gibbs
The voyage began in 2003 with the release of The Curse of the Black Pearl. Expectations were mixed for a theme-park adaptation, but the film became a massive critical and commercial success, earning $654 million worldwide. This breakout hit prompted Disney to immediately expand the standalone movie into a franchise.
That expansion paid off immensely with the 2006 sequel, Dead Man’s Chest, which shattered global box office records on its opening day. The epic original trilogy concluded shortly after with 2007's At World's End, cementing the saga as a cinematic powerhouse.
Disney continued to build on this success with On Stranger Tides in 2011, making it only the eighth film in history to reach 1 billion dollars at the box office at the time. The swashbuckling saga later returned to screens in 2017 with its fifth installment, Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Keep it locked on Epicstream, your go-to site for film, TV, and celebrity coverage!