Jerry Bruckheimer, the Pirates of the Caribbean producer, has expressed a strong desire to have Johnny Depp back for the franchise’s upcoming sixth film. Although the last movie in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, was released in 2017, a sequel has been announced. It is worth noting that Depp will not be reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, unlike the previous five films.
Bruckheimer expressed his desire for Depp’s return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, stating that if it were solely up to him, Depp would return. In an interview with Deadline, Bruckheimer complimented Depp’s skills and personal qualities. Here’s the complete statement from Bruckheimer:
He’s just so good at what he does and actors recover from things like this. He’s a good individual and he’s a caring individual. He’s somebody that you can rely on and he’s just terrific. I think Johnny is an utter friend and an amazing artist and, again, you go through things in life you wish you hadn’t, but he’s still a talented artist.
Effects of Jack Sparrow’s absence on Pirates of the Caribbean
Bruckheimer has previously expressed interest in collaborating with Depp on Pirates of the Caribbean, and he is now reiterating his admiration for the actor while also subtly defending him against his negative public image. However, due to Depp’s controversial personal life and his departure from the Jack Sparrow role, it appears unlikely that Depp will return to the Pirates of the Caribbean series despite Bruckheimer’s backing.
The absence of Depp in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean 6 will bring significant changes to the series compared to the previous five films. As the franchise’s iconic protagonist since 2003, Captain Jack Sparrow’s absence will be challenging for the series to overcome. Additionally, other recurring actors like Orlando Bloom, who portrayed Will Turner in the original series, may not return for the sequel. While Depp’s return seems unlikely, Bloom has expressed his willingness to come back for the sixth installment.
Although Bruckheimer’s enthusiastic endorsement of Depp’s return to Pirates of the Caribbean may not seem significant, his involvement in the franchise since its inception in 2003 and his strong presence in Hollywood, having produced numerous successful films, including Top Gun: Maverick released last year, cannot be ignored. If Depp’s public image improves in the future, there’s a possibility that Bruckheimer’s desire for Depp’s return to the Pirates of the Caribbean series could be fulfilled.