Entertainment
Will Johnny Depp return as Jack Sparrow? His image is once again being used by Disney
The American company dissociated itself from the actor in 2018 but is now using the mythical character again at its theme parks
June 27, 2022 12:43pm
Updated: June 27, 2022 5:40pm
According to unconfirmed reports, Johnny Depp may "return" to Pirates of the Caribbean after being dropped from the franchise in 2018. Depp played the title role in five Pirates films over the past 15 years and made what was believed to be his final voyage on the Black Pearl in Dead Men Tell No Tales, which was released in 2017.
A source said the actor, 59, has been in talks with Disney about a "$300 million settlement" after winning his defamation lawsuit against ex-partner Amber Heard.
Four days after Heard's 2018 accusation against Depp for physical and mental abuse during their marriage, Disney publicly disassociated itself from the actor. The multinational corporation has the rights to Pirates of the Caribbean, the film saga of which Depp was the lead.
That same year, Disney's head of production, Sean Bailey, confirmed Depp would not be part of new production plans for other Pirates of the Caribbean. He did not expressly say it was because of Heard's accusation, but Depp believes there was an apparent connection.
The public learned with great dismay that the saga would continue, but not with Captain Jack Sparrow after producer Jerry Bruckheimer said that the script for the upcoming sixth film did not include Depp.
But now things might change since the decision of the defamation case was in his favor.
This is evidenced by the fact that Disney has reportedly brought back the image of Captain Jack Sparrow in a show at its Disneyland theme parks.
Last weekend, some saw Depp's image being used at a castle in one of Disney’s parks, and during a firework show, many of Sparrow’s most famous phrases were also heard over the loudspeaker.
Still, we will have to wait to be absolutely sure that we will see Depp in his starring role. Even if it is a nice wink from Disney, Johnny felt "betrayed" by the company for leaving him aside because of Heard's accusations.
CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW SHINING ON THE DISNEYLAND PARIS CASTLE 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/PIJvv8oFAU
— Elisa (@deppressead) June 18, 2022
Previously, the actor already made it clear that he would not return for anything in the world to play Jack Sparrow:
"Nothing in this world, not even 300 million dollars and a million alpacas," he mused about the possibility of returning to Pirates of the Caribbean. “You know what they say, if a million alpacas can’t seal the deal, what will?”
Some are now joking that perhaps Disney is remedying the situation with two–or even three million alpacas.
