Captain Jack Sparrow might not be done sailing after all! Johnny Depp says he’s open to returning as the legendary pirate in a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and he has one big reason for wanting to come back.
Depp opened up about the possibility while speaking with Entertainment Tonight during the press tour for his new holiday film Ebenezer. He didn’t confirm he’s officially signed on, but he made it clear the door is wide open. According to Depp, the only role he really wants in the next chapter is to help the franchise finish strong, saying he wants to “send them off on a better note.” He also said he would go to work with longtime Pirates producer Jerry Bruckheimer at a moment’s notice.
Jerry Bruckheimer Has Wanted Johnny Depp Back for a While
This isn’t the first time a Jack Sparrow return has been floated. Back in 2025, Bruckheimer told Entertainment Weekly he had already spoken with Depp about a new Pirates of the Caribbean film and felt good about the chances, as long as Depp liked how the part was written. Bruckheimer has described the project as a reboot but said that if it were up to him, Depp would be in it, since he created Captain Jack.
Then at D23 this past August, Bruckheimer revealed the team was in talks with Depp and still working on the screenplay. Geoffrey Rush has also been talking about a possible Barbossa return, so the old crew may be getting the band back together.
A Long Road Back to the Black Pearl
Depp starred as Jack Sparrow in all five Pirates movies, starting with The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003 and ending with Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017. Together, the films have earned more than $4.5 billion worldwide.
Disney moved on from Depp in 2018, and during his 2022 defamation trial he testified that he would not return to the role even for $300 million and a million alpacas. He also said he was sad he never got the chance to give Jack Sparrow a proper farewell. Now it sounds like that farewell is exactly what he’s hoping for.
Disney Parks fans will remember Depp’s love for the character runs deep. Back in 2017, he surprised guests by appearing in full costume on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland ahead of Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Disney has not announced a cast or release date for the next Pirates film yet, so we’ll keep you posted as soon as there’s more news.
Would you want to see Johnny Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow one more time? Let us know in the comments!
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