At the end of 2019, it was announced that Disney would move forward with the development of a script for a Pirates of the Caribbean to restart.
At the time, it was not formally announced whether Johnny Depp would be attached to the new project.
Shortly thereafter, in 2020, Depp was embroiled in a defamation case against The sun on a 2018 article that called him a “wife beater,” which he ultimately lost.
More recently, he participated in a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard for a Washington Post op-ed she wrote, implying that he abused her. She counter-sued for $100 million, accusing Depp of orchestrating a “smear campaign” against her and describing her lawsuit as a continuation of “abuse and harassment.”
The actor testified at Virginia’s trial that the defamatory comments harmed his career and that he was fired from Pirates 6 days after the publication of the editorial.
On Wednesday June 1, a verdict was delivered for the six-week trial, with a jury ordering Heard to pay Depp 10 million (£8 million) in compensatory damages and $5 million (£4 million ) punitive damages. Heard was awarded $2m (£1.6m) in compensatory damages, but no punitive damages.
With its recent court victory, questions remain as to whether or not Disney will reconsider its exclusion from the upcoming reboot.
Here’s everything we know so far about Johnny Depp’s future in Pirate 6.
(AP)
Will Depp return to pirate franchise after winning the libel suit?
As the recent legal battle was ongoing, producer Jerry Bruckheimer said The temperature on May 15 that, at this time, Disney had no plans to bring Depp back as Captain Jack Sparrow. He added, however, that “the future remains to be decided”.
Disney executive Tina Newman – in a pre-recorded deposition presented to the court on May 19 – said she “somehow didn’t know” whether Depp was still being considered for a role in Pirate 6.
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However, in 2021, reports surfaced that Disney had already put a stop to the actor’s planned cameo in the next installment.
According to the report, Bruckheimer had planned to bring back Jack Sparrow in some capacity for the sequel, but that Disney “bailed” at the idea.
At this time, Disney has not publicly announced whether its position has changed following the court verdict.
The Independent contacted representatives of Bruckheimer for comment.
If Depp is brought back, what will happen to Margot Robbiethe role of in the female front Pirates of the Caribbean?
Whether or not Depp joins the reboot, Margot Robbie’s role in the female film will not be affected.
According The Hollywood Reporterthe new Disney film will be a new collaboration between Robbie and writer Christina Hodson, who worked together on DC’s Birds of prey.
It will be separate from the franchise reboot of the original films.
