Johnny Depp no ​​longer rules out a return of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ after years of absence from the franchise

Johnny Depp is not closing the door on a return to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise.

“Pirates of the Caribbean” is one of the most successful franchises in Hollywood history. The first film, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” was released in 2003 and marked the beginning of a new era of superstardom for Depp. It also launched the high-profile careers of Kiera Knightley and Orlando Bloom.

Four more films were released between 2006 and 2017, with Depp still reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

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However, the franchise never returned beyond 2017 following the fallout between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife, Amber Heard, whom he successfully sued for defamation following abuse allegations published in the Washington Post.

Johnny Depp attends the UK premiere of ‘Modigliani – Three Days On The Wing Of Madness’ at Curzon Mayfair on July 8, 2025, in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Johnny Depp does not rule out a return of “Pirates of the Caribbean”

Depp previously said nothing could convince him to return to the franchise after the fallout.

Now it looks like he’s changing his tune and is willing to reprise his role as Jack Sparrow if the situation is right.

American actor Johnny Depp sued his ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post in 2018 describing herself as a “public figure representing domestic violence”. (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

“If things are exactly where they need to be in terms of how they’re going to complete ‘Pirates.’ The only involvement I really want to have is just sending them out on a better note,” Depp told Entertainment Tonight in a video released Monday.

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He continued: “I’ll go work with (producer Jerry) Bruckheimer tomorrow for whatever, you know. It doesn’t matter. If it’s Jerry, I trust him and we have a deep friendship.”

You can watch his full comments in the video below and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

“Pirates of the Caribbean” at its best – certainly the original film – is what great cinema is at its best. It’s fun, original, entertaining and doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s no preachy, woke nonsense either. Of course, this waste did not really exist in 2003.

While it’s unclear if Depp will ever return to the “Pirates” universe, he has plenty of other things to do as he rebuilds his career.

He starred in “Jeanne du Barry” in 2023 and is starring in “Ebenezer”, scheduled for release on November 13, 2026, and “Day Drinker”, scheduled for release in 2027.

His next two releases are major productions with stacked casts.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 11: Johnny Depp attends the red carpet of the closing night of the Red Sea International Film Festival 2025 on December 11, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ((Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for the Red Sea International Film Festival))

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Would you like to see Johnny Depp take over as Captain Jack Sparrow? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.