Johnny Depp sparked renewed speculation about his Johnny Depp Pirates Comeback at the Los Angeles premiere of his new film, Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, on November 4. When asked by Entertainment Tonight if he would reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series, Depp responded simply, “That’d be fun.”
Depp’s Legacy in the Pirates Franchise
The 62-year-old actor is among just three performers—alongside Geoffrey Rush and Kevin McNally—who appeared in all five Pirates films. The franchise began with the 2003 release of The Curse of the Black Pearl, which transformed the series into a global blockbuster. Depp’s last major studio appearance was in 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, marking a pause before any potential Pirates comeback.
Producer’s Comments on Depp’s Potential Return
Jerry Bruckheimer, the franchise’s longtime producer, recently hinted at the possibility of Depp rejoining the series. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in August, Bruckheimer said,
If he likes the way the part’s written, I think he would do it,
and added,
We are still working on a screenplay. We want to make it. We just got to get the right screenplay. We haven’t quite gotten there yet, but we’re close.
This suggests ongoing development as the team seeks to bring back familiar elements, including Depp’s iconic role.
Depp’s Current and Upcoming Projects
Beyond potential Pirates involvement, Depp is directing the biographical drama Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, inspired by the life of artist Amedeo Modigliani. He shared the project’s origins, recalling,
It was something that Al [Pacino] was going to do a long, long time ago,
and
He called me, and he said, ‘John, I think you should direct this film.’
Depp is also set to appear as Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, where he aims to bring a fresh perspective to the classic character, admiring Alastair Sim’s 1951 interpretation as perfection.
What Depp’s Possible Pirates Return Could Mean
Depp’s hint at revisiting Captain Jack Sparrow comes amid ongoing interest from fans and the industry alike, with producers close to finalizing a script. This potential return could revive one of Hollywood’s most beloved franchises while allowing Depp to reconnect with a character synonymous with his career. As Depp continues to explore diverse roles in drama and directing, a Pirates comeback would mark an intriguing blend of his past successes and current artistic pursuits.
