Johnny Depp return talks are continuing for a sixth “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, producer Jerry Bruckheimer said at Disney’s D23 event in Anaheim, California, on Sunday.
Bruckheimer told Deadline, “We’re talking with Johnny, we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done.” His comments did not confirm a signed contract, production start or release date.
Deadline separately reported, citing sources, that the film would centre on a character played by Margot Robbie. Under that reported version, Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow would appear in a supporting role.
Depp has played Sparrow in five Walt Disney Pictures films since “The Curse of the Black Pearl” opened in 2003. His most recent appearance came in “Dead Men Tell No Tales” in 2017.
Box Office Mojo recorded a worldwide gross of $795.9 million for “Dead Men Tell No Tales.” The five released films have earned about $4.5 billion combined.
The D23 remarks followed Bruckheimer’s August 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly. He said then that Depp might return if he approved how the role was written.
During his 2022 defamation trial with Amber Heard, Depp testified that he felt betrayed by Disney and would not return, Entertainment Weekly reported.
Read: Johnny Depp Becomes Scrooge in Dark ‘Ebenezer’ Trailer
Depp will next play Ebenezer Scrooge in Paramount Pictures’ “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.” Paramount has scheduled the Ti West-directed film for November 13, 2026.