Jack Sparrow fans might have to wait a bit longer — or indefinitely — to seeJohnny Deppdon the kooky swashbuckler’s hat once more.
A rep for Depp, 59, tells PEOPLE that a reportclaimingthe actor is returning to thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise for a payday of over $300 million is “false.”
The saga’s producerJerry Bruckheimertold U.K. outletThe Timesin an interview published last month (while Depp was in court for his defamation trial against ex-wifeAmber Heard) that his team was working on “twoPiratesscripts — one with [Margot Robbie], one without.”
As for Depp potentially being involved, Bruckheimer, 78,said, “Not at this point"but “the future is yet to be decided.”
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Johnny Depp; Amber Heard.Kevin Dietsch/Getty ; Ron Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty
Depp won his defamation claims against Heard, 36, earlier this month, concluding a contentious six-week legal battle in Virginia that put their private lives in the public eye. (Heard also won one of her three claims of defamation, and her lawyer said that she plans to appeal.) Afterward,Depp said in a statementthat the jury “gave me my life back” and the “best is yet to come” for him.
While Hollywood insiders have conflicting views on whether his career will bounce back after the trial, a former Disney exec thinks Depp could be asked to return to thePiratesfranchise soon.
Johnny Depp inPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales(2017).Peter Mountain/Walt Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
“I absolutely believe post-verdict thatPiratesis primed for rebooting with Johnnyas Capt. Jack back on board,” the former exec told PEOPLE following the verdict. “There is just too much potential box-office treasure for a beloved character deeply embedded in the Disney culture.”
“With Jerry Bruckheimerriding high on the massive successofTom CruiseinTop Gun: Maverick, there is huge appetite for bringing back bankable Hollywood stars in massively popular franchises,” the insider added.
Depp earned anOscarnomination for playing Jack Sparrow in the original 2003 filmPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The hit sequels came out in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2017.
Another Hollywood insider who has worked on previousPiratesfilms told PEOPLE it is “not very likely” Depp will “come back as a star, but they’d probably makePirates 6with Margot Robbie or someone similar.” (It was previously reported that Robbie, 31,was being eyed for aPiratesreboot.)
The insider, who estimates the sequel wouldn’t “likely” be released until 2025 due to production timelines, said, “I would think they make Robbie his daughter and likely have a cameo with him as a test.”
During his time testifying in the defamation case, Depp spoke about his falling out with Disney executives, saying he felt he’d become “guilty until proven innocent.” The star — who also has theAlice in Wonderlandfranchise with the company — said on the stand that he would not work with Disney again, even if they offered him a $300 million paycheck.
About that comment, the Hollywood insider told PEOPLE, “I don’t believe that based on his money troubles, especially givenPiratesis a billion-dollar global franchise.”
source: people.com
