Jerry Bruckheimer, the renowned Hollywood producer, is currently advancing several sequels to his blockbuster franchises, including Top Gun, F1 The Movie, and Days of Thunder. Among these, the Pirates of the Caribbean series remains a vital focus. While Bruckheimer has confirmed that a new installment is in development, the details remain closely guarded. Addressing recent speculation, the producer has clarified significant developments involving the Pirates universe, particularly regarding the involvement of a major film star far removed from the ongoing Johnny Depp Pirates rumor.
At the TheGrill 2025 event, Bruckheimer spoke extensively about his upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated Pirates of the Caribbean film. He specifically addressed reports linking Margot Robbie to the franchise’s future, acknowledging that while many rumors swirl, Robbie remains an active participant in the series’ expansions.
Over recent years, gossip about Robbie joining Pirates projects surged repeatedly, reflecting growing anticipation about the franchise’s direction. Bruckheimer previously revealed that a story centered on Robbie, inspired by the beloved Disney theme park attraction, was underway. However, he has been deliberately vague about whether this project would be a spin-off or another type of addition to the franchise. On the prospect of moving forward with Robbie’s role, he stated:

“We’re working on a script. If we don’t have it on the page, it’s not going to get on the screen. We had two scripts at one point, and then one kind of dropped out and we kind of went with the other one.”
– Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer
Challenges Behind Creating the Next Pirates Movie
Bruckheimer openly acknowledges the difficulties in bringing Pirates of the Caribbean 6 to fruition, describing it as the toughest project he is currently managing. He remarked that:
“The hardest one has been Pirates so far,”
explaining that the unique and detailed world of Pirates is both alluring and complex to expand. He elaborated:
“That world is so cool and specific. You just got to find the right way in.”
– Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer
Beyond the elaborate world-building, a key challenge lies in capturing the essence and charm that defined the franchise’s original success. The inaugural Pirates of the Caribbean movie, directed by Gore Verbinski, refreshed the adventure genre with a creative and captivating style that audiences hadn’t previously experienced. Integral to that success was Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Jack Sparrow, whose performance transcended the role and turned the character into a cultural icon.
The original cast, which also included Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley, contributed significantly to shaping the series’ reputation. Moviegoers were as drawn to Depp’s unique take on Jack Sparrow as they were to the action and storytelling. With these heavy expectations, the prospect of Pirates 6 raises questions about how to honor the legacy while charting new territory.
What Lies Ahead for Pirates of the Caribbean 6
If the next Pirates film reaches theaters, it may blend elements of a reboot with a continuation, a strategy Bruckheimer has suggested previously. This approach could both refresh the storyline for new audiences and maintain ties to the original universe created with the 2003 release of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Balancing these goals will likely be essential to satisfying longtime supporters and attracting fresh viewers.
The rumors regarding Johnny Depp’s future involvement have persisted, yet Bruckheimer’s comments explicitly distance the current projects from the actor for now, focusing instead on other stars and creative avenues. Meanwhile, Margot Robbie’s involvement appears steady, emphasizing Disney’s commitment to evolving the franchise through diverse storytelling. How these plans will unfold remains uncertain, but the producer’s focus on script quality suggests cautious development over rushed production.
Ultimately, the next Pirates installment represents both an opportunity and a significant challenge—requiring careful narrative crafting and talent coordination to live up to a franchise that has captivated audiences for two decades. As Bruckheimer and his team continue to refine the script and project direction, fans will be watching closely to see how the world of Pirates of the Caribbean evolves in this new phase.