Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Return Rumors & Updates

Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed at CinemaCon that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is in active development, but Johnny Depp’s return as Captain Jack Sparrow remains officially undecided— Disney is simultaneously pursuing a parallel reboot path. Here’s where things stand with script developments, producer statements, and what the dual tracks mean for the franchise.

Films released: 5 ·
Lead character actor: Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow ·
Script writers for Pirates 6: Craig Mazin and Ted Elliot ·
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer ·
First film year: 2003

The table below summarizes the current known development status for Pirates of the Caribbean 6.

Is Johnny Depp returning to Pirates of the Caribbean?

The short answer: still undecided—and that’s not just spin. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has signaled cautious optimism in recent interviews, telling Collider that he has discussed the role with Depp and believes the actor would be open to returning if the script works. “If he likes the way the part’s written, I think he would do it,” Bruckheimer said (Collider). The production remains actively working on the screenplay and has not finalized it, per the same Collider report.

Producer updates on Depp’s involvement

Bruckheimer’s relationship with Depp runs deep—he called Depp “a good friend” in a Deadline interview from February 2023 (That Park Place). Yet the producer has also acknowledged Disney’s parallel track. “It’s a reboot, but if it was up to me, [Johnny Depp] would be in it,” Bruckheimer stated (That Park Place). The statement captures the tension: personal preference versus studio direction.

Script development status

Multiple scripts are reportedly in play. One version by Craig Mazin and Ted Elliot is said to explicitly include Depp’s return, though sources describe it as “weird” in tone (Collider). Separate scripts—one anchored by Margot Robbie from writer Christina Hodson, another by Jeff Nathanson featuring a younger cast—are also alive at Disney (That Park Place). The Margot Robbie script has been confirmed as still in development by multiple sources.

Who will be playing Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6?

No replacement for Jack Sparrow has been confirmed. The character remains officially tied to Depp, whose original interpretation—reportedly inspired by Pepé Le Pew and Keith Richards—became a defining performance in modern cinema (That Park Place). Bruckheimer himself addressed fan speculation directly: “Not at this point. The future is yet to be decided,” he told Gaming Bible (Gaming Bible).

Current casting rumors

Industry whispers have surfaced around several names. Unverified reports mention Ayo Edebiri being attached to the reboot after stepping away from Marvel’s Thunderbolts, and rumors of a Haitian female protagonist named Anne leading young pirates have circulated online (That Park Place). However, none of these reports come from tier-1 or tier-2 sources, and they should be treated as speculation.

Depp’s potential return

Keira Knightley, who played Elizabeth Swann across five films, will not return due to family commitments (Kinocheck). Whether Depp makes a similar choice remains his to make—and depends heavily on which script direction Disney ultimately pursues.

Is Pirates of the Caribbean Part 6 coming?

Development is active, though specifics remain guarded. Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed at CinemaCon that progress is being made on the franchise’s next chapter. Filming is reportedly scheduled to begin at the end of 2025 (Kinocheck), though no official release date has been announced.

Development confirmations

Bruckheimer went on record at Deadline in February 2023 discussing the franchise’s trajectory, and again in December 2022 outlined two distinct storylines—one featuring Margot Robbie, one with a younger ensemble cast (That Park Place). The producer has also said he wants both scripts eventually made, with priority given to the younger cast version (That Park Place).

Producer statements

Bruckheimer has taken a share of responsibility for delays, acknowledging in recent comments that the franchise’s timeline has been frustrating for fans (That Park Place). He has also publicly stated he would prefer Depp involved—and called the reboot path appealing specifically because it removes dependence on actors with complicated schedules or public issues.

Pirates of the Caribbean movies in order

For readers catching up or wanting context on where the franchise stands, here’s the theatrical chronology.

Release chronology

The following table lists all five Pirates of the Caribbean theatrical releases in chronological order.

Key cast and plots

The series began with The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003 (Kinocheck), introducing Depp’s Jack Sparrow alongside Orlando Bloom’s Will Turner and Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann. The franchise became a global phenomenon, grossing billions across five installments. The last film featuring Depp was Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017 (Gaming Bible), after which Depp’s relationship with Disney became strained following his public disputes.

Latest Pirates of the Caribbean 6 updates

The most recent Bruckheimer comments came at CinemaCon, where the producer addressed the franchise’s status directly. His tone remained hopeful but non-committal regarding Depp specifically.

CinemaCon news

Bruckheimer’s CinemaCon appearance gave fans the latest official signal: the producer is still engaged with the project and believes something is coming. However, he stopped short of confirming Depp’s involvement, aligning with prior statements that the future remains “to be decided” (Gaming Bible). The Margot Robbie script has also been confirmed as still alive and in development by multiple entertainment outlets (That Park Place).

Script and production details

Sources indicate production is prioritizing the younger cast script, which doesn’t require waiting for actors like Depp or Knightley (That Park Place). However, a version explicitly including Depp also exists, per recent reporting. The question is which script Disney gives the green light—and whether that decision has already been made internally.

For fans waiting to see Captain Jack Sparrow sail again, the picture hasn’t crystallized—and may not until Disney makes a script call. The studio holds the lever: greenlight the Depp-inclusive version and the door opens; push the younger reboot forward and that chapter closes, at least for now. Bruckheimer has made his preference clear. Whether Disney shares it remains the defining question heading into production.