Johnny Depp may once again don the costume of Captain Jack Sparrow in the long-awaited sixth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that negotiations are underway with the actor, while work is simultaneously progressing on the script, and hopes are high that the project will finally come to fruition.
The new film, however, will center on Margot Robbie's character, with Depp taking on a supporting role this time around. The actor first appeared as Jack Sparrow in 2003's The Curse of the Black Pearl, after which he starred in four more sequels.
Despite years of persistent rumors about a sixth film, screenwriter Stuart Beattie hinted in 2018 that Depp might say goodbye to his most iconic role. Now, it seems, everything has changed, and fans once again hold out hope of seeing their favorite pirate on the silver screen.
This development is particularly notable as Depp's return comes at a time when the franchise is trying to breathe new life into its characters without entirely letting go of a beloved old hero. In effect, it's a smart move—pushing Robbie's character to the forefront while still pleasing Depp's fanbase.
It remains to be seen whether the negotiations will result in a contract and how the creators will weave together the storylines of two such strong characters. Clearly, the pressure is immense, given that previous installments have already become part of pop culture, and any misstep could come at a high cost.
