Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Johnny Depp Could Return as Jack Sparrow
Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise have received a major piece of news. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has revealed that discussions are underway with Johnny Depp about potentially returning for the long-awaited sixth installment.
The news has revived hopes that Captain Jack Sparrow could once again set sail on the big screen.
Speaking to Deadline on the red carpet at Disney's D23 event, Bruckheimer confirmed that work on the sixth movie is continuing and that the production team is in discussions with Depp.
"We're talking to Johnny. We're working on a script right now. Hopefully we'll work it out," Bruckheimer said.
No final agreement has been announced yet. However, if the negotiations are successful, Depp could return to one of the most recognizable characters of his career.
Jack Sparrow transformed Johnny Depp's career
The original Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, released in 2003, became a major turning point for Depp.
His eccentric, unpredictable and charismatic portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow quickly turned the character into one of the most recognizable figures in modern popular culture. The role also earned Depp an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Following the success of the first film, Depp returned as Sparrow in four additional installments, making the character almost inseparable from his public image.
The most recent movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, was released in 2017. Since then, several ideas for continuing the franchise have emerged, but the future of the series has remained uncertain.
The sixth movie has gone through several scripts
The development of Pirates of the Caribbean 6 has already experienced several changes.
The project initially brought in Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. Later, Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott took over the screenplay work.
In 2025, Bruckheimer also confirmed reports that Margot Robbie was involved with a project connected to the franchise, while revealing that two different scripts were being developed.
That makes the next installment interesting not only because of Depp's potential return, but also because of the direction Disney ultimately chooses for the franchise.
Depp's Hollywood comeback is gathering momentum
A return to Pirates of the Caribbean would also represent another major step in Johnny Depp's return to Hollywood.
The actor spent several years away from major Hollywood productions following his highly publicized legal battle with former wife Amber Heard. In 2022, a jury ruled largely in Depp's favor in his defamation case, and the two sides later reached a settlement.
Depp had also departed the Fantastic Beasts franchise after losing his libel case against the British newspaper The Sun.
More recently, however, the actor has begun taking on major projects again. Depp stars in Paramount's upcoming Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, and appeared on stage at San Diego Comic-Con in July wearing his character's costume. The movie is scheduled for release in November.
He is also set to star opposite Penélope Cruz in Lionsgate's thriller Day Drinker, which is planned for release in 2027.
The door is open for Jack Sparrow
For years, Depp's return to Pirates of the Caribbean seemed increasingly unlikely. In a 2022 interview, Bruckheimer was asked whether the actor would return and answered, "Not at the moment," while adding that nobody could predict what the future might bring.
Now, the same producer has confirmed that discussions are taking place.
There is still no official release date or finalized cast for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Nevertheless, the combination of ongoing script development and Bruckheimer's comments has significantly increased the possibility of Depp returning.
If the negotiations succeed, one of cinema's most recognizable pirates could once again take control of the wheel — and Jack Sparrow may finally be ready for another adventure.
