Johnny Depp's Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Future Should Become Clearer This Month

Published Nov 7, 2026, 4:46 PM EST Richard Craig is a Senior Author at Screen Rant covering film and TV. Richard has also written extensively about horror and film soundtracks, contributing a chapter to the first major academic collection on the folk horror genre, The Routledge Companion to Folk Horror. Richard is also a performing musician and holds an MA in Music and Sound Art. Johnny Depp's future in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 could be much clearer this month as the actor prepares for a big Hollywood comeback. Since 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales, the beloved Disney series has been lost in a quagmire of recasting and reboot rumors following Depp’s legal battles and domestic abuse allegations, leading to Depp being dropped from the Fantastic Beasts movies. However, producer Jerry Bruckheimer has expressed on numerous occasions his desire to have Captain Jack Sparrow back in Pirates of the Caribbean. As Disney continues to develop a new Pirates of the Caribbean film, there have been many questions about whether Depp will return to play his iconic role, how big of a part Sparrow will take, and whether Disney will want to move forward with an all-new set of characters. However, there are signs that Depp and Disney two could reunite. Bruckheimer has confirmed that he is speaking to Depp about the new film, and Depp has also recently said he is open to returning. However, Disney needs to consider the commercial aspects of another Pirates of the Caribbean and whether the world is ready for Depp to resume his leading-man status. Depp’s next big film will offer valuable insight into how both audiences and Hollywood will receive his return. He plays Ebenezer Scrooge in Ti West's new adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (aptly named Ebenezer), in cinemas on November 13th. This will be Depp's first big Hollywood studio film in 8 years. Ebenezer Is Johnny Depp's First Major Hollywood Movie In 8 Years Paramount Pictures Depp's last big Hollywood studio film was 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Since then, Depp has been heavily involved in non-Hollywood studio films. He has appeared in films such as Minamata and Jeanne Du Barry (which got quite a lot of attention after its Cannes premiere in 2023). However, Ebenezer is a far bigger return to Hollywood studios. It has huge backing from Paramount, and Depp is in the starring role. The marketing behind Ebenezer has been very telling. The first trailer specifically mentions Captain Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, and the Mad Hatter. Then declares, "The master of misfits is back!" Depp has been out and about playing Scrooge in public, such as at Bryant Park in New York. They are clearly trying to capitalize on Depp's most recognizable roles and reputation for idiosyncratic characters. There have also been promising signs from Ebenezer. An August test screening reportedly received an 80/100 score. Depp received an 86 (via The Guardian). On November 6th, the film appeared to be doing well with its pre-sales. It received a predicted $22 million opening weekend (via Box Office Theory). While this does not guarantee any commercial success, it does seem to have a good chance of being a big film. If Depp's Return Is A Success, His POTC Return Becomes More Likely A successful Ebenezer would give Depp considerably more leverage when it comes to securing another major franchise role. Box office performance is an obvious consideration, particularly because the film's marketing has made his return a central selling point. If audiences turn out in significant numbers, Paramount will have demonstrated that Depp can still attract moviegoers to a major theatrical release, although the film's Christmas appeal, Ti West's direction, and its supporting cast will also contribute to its performance. There is also the factor of how willing the industry will be to work with Depp. The involvement of established filmmakers and studios in his upcoming projects, including Lionsgate's Day Drinker, suggests that opportunities are already opening up. The reception to Ebenezer, including its press appearances and industry response, will offer further insight into whether his return to mainstream Hollywood will have industry support. Disney will inevitably consider those developments when assessing whether to bring Depp back as Jack Sparrow. The franchise remains an enormous commercial property, having generated approximately $4.5 billion across its five movies, and Depp's performance was central to its original success. Even the comparatively less successful fifth installment, Dead Men Tell No Tales, grossed almost $796 million worldwide against a reported production budget of $230 million. If Ebenezer shows that audiences are excited to see Depp as a big name in the cinema, Disney would have another strong reason to bring them back together. While it would not guarantee he would return, it would make it much easier for Bruckheimer to argue the commercial aspect. Depp's Pirates Of The Caribbean Return Might Happen Anyway Depp's return may not be entirely dependent on how Ebenezer does. Bruckheimer has always pushed for Depp to be in the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel. In August 2026, he confirmed that Disney is speaking to Depp about the film: "We're talking to Johnny. We're working on a screenplay. Hopefully we can get this done" (via The Wrap). This was a huge step for Depp after years of uncertainty with Disney. Bruckheimer has also previously explained that the next movie is being developed as a reboot, although he would like Depp involved. Screenwriter Jeff Nathanson, who worked on Dead Men Tell No Tales, has been developing the screenplay, with Bruckheimer particularly enthusiastic about its third act. The possibility of a new direction for the franchise therefore doesn't necessarily mean abandoning Jack Sparrow, especially given the producer's continued support for the character's original performer. Depp has also spoken about it, giving his biggest hint yet that he would be willing to return. During the Ebenezer press tour, he spoke to Entertainment Tonight and said he would want the next film to give the franchise a better ending. Depp also reiterated his trust in Bruckheimer, saying: "I will go to work with Bruckheimer tomorrow for anything. Doesn't matter… if it's Jerry, I trust him. We have a deep friendship." That leaves Disney with a potentially attractive opportunity. The studio has a commercially proven franchise, a producer actively pursuing a reunion, and a leading actor who appears open to returning under the right circumstances. Ebenezer could strengthen the case considerably if it performs well, but the groundwork for another Jack Sparrow adventure is already being laid. By the end of November, Depp's theatrical comeback should provide a much clearer indication of just how commercially appealing his Pirates of the Caribbean 6 return would be. Movie(s) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales First Film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Genres Fantasy, Action, Adventure Cast Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Kevin McNally, Jack Davenport, Stellan Skarsgård, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, Naomie Harris, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario Director Gore Verbinski, Rob Marshall, Espen Sandberg, Joachim Rønning Character(s) Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, Will Turner, Barbossa, Mr. Gibbs, Norrington, Bill Turner, Davy Jones, Beckett, Tia Dalma, Angelica, Blackbeard, Captain Salazar, Henry Turner, Carina