Summary:
- Disney is reportedly making two more Pirates of the Caribbean movies, with Margot Robbie replacing Johnny Depp as the protagonist.
- Johnny Depp wanted to cut all ties with the House of Mouse, as the latter abandoned him during his defamation case.
- The franchise’s producer Jerry Bruckheimer wants Depp to reprise the role of Jack Sparrow, but the decision is not his to make.
Johnny Depp‘s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow has been a defining role in his career, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide and kickstarting the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Despite the immense success he brought to the series, recent legal battles and a falling out with Disney have cast a shadow over his future involvement.
After the House of Mouse and multiple other brands turned their back on him, Depp seems to be done with Hollywood. The Alice in Wonderland star even publicly declared how he felt “betrayed” by the House of Mouse, making his comeback to the Pirates franchise even harder.
Amidst this backdrop, Disney is making strides to revitalize the Pirates saga with new faces, while opting to remove Depp at the same time. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently shared with Entertainment Weekly that the studio is developing two new Pirates movies, one of which will star Margot Robbie., known for her role as Harley Quinn in the DCEU, and Barbie in the titular 2023 movie.
Besides, the renowned producer also voiced his support for Johnny Depp to return to the franchise
“It’s a reboot, but if it was up to me, he would be in it. I love him. He’s a good friend. He’s an amazing artist and he’s a unique look. He created Captain Jack. That was not on the page, that was him doing a little Pepé Le Pew and Keith Richards. That was his interpretation of Jack Sparrow,” said Bruckheimer.
However, it appears that Robbie may be steering one of the future installments, which is still in the early stages of development. This transition has stirred mixed feelings among fans, with many expressing staunch loyalty to Depp. They believe that the franchise will lose all of its charm and sink to the bottom without its most iconic captain at the helm.
No Johnny depp no party 🤨
— Muskki 🌟 (@Muskkki) May 20, 2024
“No Johnny Depp, no party,” said an X account.
“No Johnny Depp, no Pirates of the Caribbean,” another commented.
The notion of Margot Robbie, fresh off her success in Barbie, potentially leading the franchise introduces a new dynamic. While Depp’s iconic portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow has undoubtedly left big boots to fill, perhaps it’s time for the franchise to have a new captain on board. However, Disney will have a lot of work to do to convince fans that their changes are just.
With Depp emerging victorious in the defamation trial, and the recent run of bad and controversial titles, Disney is currently under scrutiny from both fans and critics. Therefore, the House of Mouse will have a lot to do to regain fans’ trust, and replacing Johnny Depp with Margot Robbie at the moment isn’t a very wise move.
