Pirates of the Caribbean · Latest update
Is Johnny Depp Coming Back as Jack Sparrow?
The actor has spoken about one more voyage, the producer has confirmed discussions, and a sixth film is being written. But has Disney actually announced his return?
So, is Johnny Depp returning?
Possibly, but not officially. As of 4 November 2026, Johnny Depp has said he is willing to revisit Captain Jack Sparrow if the story gives the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise a worthwhile send-off. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has also confirmed that discussions with the actor are taking place. Neither statement amounts to a confirmed deal or casting announcement.
What did Johnny Depp say about playing Jack Sparrow again?
The freshest development came during interviews for Depp’s new film Ebenezer, with his comments reported on 2 and 3 November 2026.
Send them off on a better note.
Johnny Depp, discussing a potential Pirates return. Reported by Variety, 3 November 2026.
Depp told Entertainment Tonight that he would consider taking part if the next film could provide a more satisfying conclusion. He also made clear that he trusts the franchise’s longtime producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, and would work with him again.
That is a notable change in tone from his remarks during the 2022 defamation trial, when he said he would not return to the Disney franchise. But his new comments are conditional. He did not say that he has read a final script, signed a contract or been assigned a filming date.
Read together, the comments suggest Depp is interested in the right creative opportunity, not that the role is already his.
What has Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed?
Bruckheimer’s comments go a step further than fan speculation, although they still stop short of confirming a cast.
Discussions with Depp
At Disney’s D23 event on 16 August, Bruckheimer said the filmmakers were talking with Depp while work on a screenplay continued. It was a public acknowledgement of talks, not a final deal.
The script is the deciding factor
Bruckheimer has repeatedly stressed the importance of the screenplay. Earlier comments described a potential return as dependent on the part Depp would be asked to play.
How did we get here? The Jack Sparrow comeback timeline
The return has been discussed for years, but the most substantial updates came in 2026.
Dead Men Tell No Tales, released in the UK as Salazar’s Revenge, becomes Depp’s most recent appearance as Captain Jack Sparrow.
During his legal proceedings with Amber Heard, Depp says he would not reprise the role, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his relationship with Disney.
Producer Bruckheimer discusses a new film and screenplay work associated with writer Jeff Nathanson. Depp’s participation remains unsettled.
At D23, the producer says he is in talks with Depp and hopes the team can get the sixth movie made.
On the Ebenezer press tour, Depp says he is open to a return that gives the films a stronger ending. No official casting announcement follows.
Is Margot Robbie replacing Johnny Depp?
There is no confirmed announcement that Margot Robbie is replacing Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. Robbie has been linked to a separate female-led Pirates development project, while other reports have discussed a reboot or a sixth entry that introduces a new lead.
Reporting in August 2026 raised the possibility that Sparrow could appear in a supporting role rather than lead the next adventure. That is a reported possibility, not a final story outline released by Disney.
The distinction is important: a new protagonist and Jack Sparrow could, in principle, appear in the same film. There is no reason to report the character as permanently replaced when the casting and script remain unsettled.
When will Pirates of the Caribbean 6 come out?
There is no announced release date for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 as of 4 November 2026. Discussion of a screenplay and actors does not establish when production will begin or when the film will reach cinemas.
Not officially announced.
No verified production schedule.
No final line-up announced by Disney.
Be cautious with online posters, fan-made trailers and specific 2027 or 2028 release-date claims unless Disney has published them.
Which Pirates films has Johnny Depp appeared in?
Depp played Jack Sparrow in all five released theatrical films. The last was nine years before his latest 2026 comments.
The franchise began with The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003 and has earned roughly $4.5 billion worldwide across its five films. Depp received an Academy Award nomination for playing Sparrow in the first film.
What would make Johnny Depp’s return official?
These are the announcements that would move the story beyond talks and intentions.
A Disney casting announcement
Confirmation from Disney or the production that Depp will play Jack Sparrow again, ideally identifying his role in the film.
A greenlit film and production schedule
A finalised project with a director, filming plans and release arrangements, rather than an early-stage script in development.
Until those arrive, headlines saying Depp will return are stronger than the evidence. Headlines saying he could return, or that he is open to it, reflect the public statements much more accurately.
The bottom line
Johnny Depp may yet return as Captain Jack Sparrow. The actor has signalled that he would consider a final voyage if the story gives the series a better ending, and Bruckheimer has confirmed discussions. But Disney has not announced Depp as part of a sixth film. For now, it is a genuine possibility, not a confirmed comeback.
Frequently asked questions
Is Johnny Depp officially returning as Jack Sparrow?
No. As of 4 November 2026, Depp has expressed willingness to return and producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed discussions, but neither Disney nor Depp has announced a signed deal or confirmed casting.
What did Johnny Depp say about Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
During an Entertainment Tonight interview reported on 2 and 3 November 2026, Depp said he would consider returning if the new film could give the franchise a stronger send-off. He also expressed trust in producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
When is Pirates of the Caribbean 6 coming out?
There is no officially announced release date for the sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film as of 4 November 2026. A screenplay is in development, but a filming schedule has not been confirmed.
Is Margot Robbie replacing Johnny Depp?
No confirmed casting announcement establishes that. Margot Robbie has been associated with a female-led Pirates project, and 2026 reports have discussed a possible new lead, but Disney has not confirmed a replacement or final cast.
Will Orlando Bloom return as Will Turner?
Orlando Bloom has spoken positively about the idea of reuniting with the Pirates cast. He has not been officially announced for another film.
What was the last Pirates of the Caribbean film with Johnny Depp?
The fifth film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, was released in 2017. It is also known as Salazar’s Revenge in the UK and some other markets.
Hasnaat Mahmood
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