Johnny Depp says a Jack Sparrow return in a Pirates of the Caribbean 6 could happen, but only if the character gets a proper farewell. The actor commented in an interview with Entertainment Tonight while promoting his new film Ebenezer, addressing years of speculation about whether he will return to the franchise that made him a global star.
“I Want to Send Them Off on a Better Note,” Depp said, explaining the condition under which he would reprise the role. He added that he would never turn down a request from longtime Pirates producer Jerry Bruckheimer, a comment that keeps the door open even as no new film has been confirmed.
What Depp Said About Jack Sparrow Return
Depp’s remarks center on giving Jack Sparrow a send-off he considers worthy of the character, rather than ruling out a return outright. He headlined five Pirates movies between 2003 and 2017, and every one of them grossed more than $650 million worldwide, according to Variety. Two entries, Dead Man’s Chest in 2006 and On Stranger Tides in 2011, each topped $1 billion at the box office, and the five films with Depp have collectively brought in $4.5 billion.
Depp’s standing with the franchise has been uncertain since his legal troubles, including his 2022 libel trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. Since then, any talk of his return has come with caveats, and his latest comments continue that pattern by tying a comeback to how the character’s exit is written rather than promising a firm yes.
Where The Pirates 6 Screenplay Stands
Bruckheimer confirmed in the summer of 2025 that he had spoken with Depp about a new Pirates movie. He noted that Depp’s involvement hinges entirely on the script quality, confirming that while a project is actively being written and nearing completion, the team won’t move forward until the screenplay lands in the right place.
According to reporting from Variety, screenwriter Jeff Nathanson, who previously penned 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales, has boarded the project to draft a new script. Production remains in the developmental stage, as Disney has not yet officially greenlit the film, locked in a permanent cast, finalized a release date, or signed off on a completed screenplay.
Franchise Background And Context
Disney was developing two separate Pirates projects as of the summer of 2020: a reboot led by Margot Robbie and a sixth film in the original series. Robbie revealed in November 2022 that Disney was not interested in moving forward with her female-led version, leaving the original sequel as the franchise’s clearer path forward, though still without a confirmed production timeline.
Depp’s last studio tentpole was 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Since then, he has worked largely outside major Hollywood studios. His upcoming slate includes the Paramount-backed holiday film Ebenezer, which he is currently promoting, and Lionsgate’s thriller Day Drinker, set for 2028.
What Comes Next
No Pirates of the Caribbean 6 release date, cast list, or finished screenplay has been announced. Bruckheimer has said the production team is still refining the script before moving forward, and Depp’s comments to Entertainment Tonight make clear his involvement depends on how that final version treats Jack Sparrow. Until Disney confirms a greenlight, the project remains in development rather than production.
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, directed by Ti West from a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern and based on Charles Dickens’ novella, stars Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge. Starring alongside him is an ensemble that includes Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, and others. The Paramount Pictures film is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on November 13, 2026, following a New York premiere. It marks Depp’s return to a major Hollywood studio production after several years.
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