Johnny Depp says he’s open to playing Jack Sparrow again, a notable shift for an actor who once ruled out working with Disney on Pirates of the Caribbean altogether. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, reported by IGN, Depp was asked whether he’d return to the role and framed his answer around giving the series a stronger finish. IGN reads that as a reference to the last film’s critical reception.
Depp made his interest conditional on the direction of the story and on who’s involved. “If things are exactly where they need to be with regard to how they’re going to top off the Pirates [story],” he said, adding that the only involvement he truly wants is “to send them off on a better note.” He was warmer still about producer Jerry Bruckheimer: “I’ll go to work with [Jerry] Bruckheimer tomorrow for anything. If it’s Jerry, I trust him. We have a deep friendship.”
The comments land against a very different backdrop. During his legal battle with Amber Heard, Depp said he wouldn’t make another Pirates film for Disney, not even for $300 million and a million alpacas. IGN says this is the first time he has publicly signalled he’s open to the idea since he swore it off in 2023, although Bruckheimer has said repeatedly over the last couple of years that he’s in conversations with the actor.
Bruckheimer has also said a screenplay is in the works and that he hopes to sign a deal with Depp, though nothing has been locked in. We covered his earlier comments in our report on Bruckheimer confirming talks with Depp over a Jack Sparrow return. Disney had also explored a separate Pirates film with Margot Robbie in the lead, but IGN reports that project has yet to make any real progress, which leaves the franchise’s direction open.
Depp’s next role is already dated. He stars in Ebenezer, a new take on A Christmas Carol, which IGN says releases on November 13. His blockbuster work has been thin since the Heard trial; he also stepped down from the Fantastic Beasts films during his libel case against UK outlet The Sun, and Mads Mikkelsen replaced him in the third and last film of that series.
Whether Jack Sparrow sails again depends on a deal that doesn’t yet exist. For now, Depp’s stance has moved from a flat refusal to a conditional yes.
Is a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie confirmed with Johnny Depp?
No. Jerry Bruckheimer has said he’s talking to Depp and that a screenplay is in development, but no deal has been signed and no release date has been announced.
What did Johnny Depp say about returning as Jack Sparrow?
Depp told Entertainment Tonight he wants to send the franchise off on a better note and would work with Bruckheimer on anything, depending on where the story is headed.
What is Johnny Depp’s next film?
Ebenezer, a new take on A Christmas Carol, which IGN says releases on November 13.
