Johnny Depp Sets One Condition for Returning as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6
Johnny Depp has said he would return as Captain Jack Sparrow in a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film, but only on one condition: the story must give the franchise and his character a proper send off. Speaking on the press tour for his new film Ebenezer, the 63 year old actor said he would work with longtime franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer tomorrow for anything, and that his only real wish is to send the series off on a better note. No deal has been confirmed, no script has been finalised, and Disney has not announced a sixth film.
Depp’s comments, made in interviews with Entertainment Tonight and Entertainment Weekly during November 2026, are the clearest public signal yet that the door to a Jack Sparrow return is open. Here is exactly what he said, what Bruckheimer has said about the project, where his co-stars stand, and what still has to happen before the Black Pearl sails again.
| Quick Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Actor | Johnny Depp, 63, who first played Jack Sparrow in 2003 |
| Condition | The story must top off the franchise properly and give Jack Sparrow a better send off |
| Producer | Jerry Bruckheimer, who Depp says he trusts completely |
| Script status | Jeff Nathanson is working on a screenplay; Bruckheimer says it is not quite there yet |
| Last appearance | Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017, nearly a decade ago |
| Orlando Bloom | Open to returning as Will Turner and wants to get the band back together |
| Keira Knightley | Has previously ruled out returning as Elizabeth Swann |
| Depp’s new film | Ebenezer, in which he plays Ebenezer Scrooge, due in theatres on November 13, 2026 |
What Depp Actually Said
Depp’s key quote has been reported consistently across outlets. Asked about a return, he said: “If things are exactly where they need to be with regard to how they are going to top off the Pirates thing, the only involvement I really want to have, truly, is just to send them off on a better note.” He added: “I will go to work with Jerry Bruckheimer tomorrow for anything. Does not matter. If it is Jerry, I trust him. We have a deep friendship.”
That wording matters because it is not a yes and not a no. Depp stopped short of confirming a return, but he framed his interest around a specific creative goal: a fitting final chapter rather than a simple comeback. He has also smiled when asked whether audiences will see him set sail again, saying: “Well, I do not know if you will see us set sail. We might do that privately.” The message is consistent: he is willing, but only for the right ending.
The timing of the comments is no accident. Depp is on the press tour for Ebenezer, his new holiday film in which he plays Ebenezer Scrooge, due in theatres on November 13, 2026. A special screening of Ebenezer in New York City on November 1 gave reporters the chance to ask about Pirates, and Depp answered in a relaxed, open way that has fuelled days of coverage. For another franchise casting story this week, read about Pierce Brosnan backing Callum Turner as the next James Bond.
What Bruckheimer Has Said About a Sixth Film
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has repeatedly expressed interest in bringing Depp back, and his recent comments line up with Depp’s. In August 2026, Bruckheimer confirmed to Deadline that Disney was in talks with Depp about a sixth film, saying: “We are talking to Johnny. We are working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done.” Earlier in 2025, he confirmed he had spoken to Depp about a new Pirates film and said of the script: “We just got to get the right screenplay. We have not quite gotten there yet, but we are close.”
Jeff Nathanson is working on the screenplay, according to the reports, and Bruckheimer has been clear that the script is the bottleneck. That is a familiar story for this franchise: Pirates films live or die on their scripts, and the fifth film, Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017, left many fans feeling the series had run out of steam. A sixth film that simply repeats the formula would not meet Depp’s condition, and Bruckheimer’s insistence on getting the screenplay right suggests he knows it.
It is also worth remembering the recent history. Speculation about Depp’s return has continued since his highly publicised defamation trial against Amber Heard concluded in June 2022, and at one point Depp’s representative described reports of his return as false. The current position is different: both Depp and Bruckheimer are now publicly saying they want to work together on a sixth film, which is the closest the project has come to reality in years.
Where Bloom, Knightley and the Rest of the Cast Stand
Orlando Bloom, who played Will Turner in the original trilogy, has been highly vocal about wanting to return. Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2026, Bloom said he still connects with Depp, describing his former co-star as amazing, and said he would like to get the band back together, bringing back Depp and Keira Knightley to recreate the original trilogy’s chemistry. Bloom admitted, however, that he had not heard any updates about another film.
When Depp was asked about Bloom’s comments at the November 1 Ebenezer screening, he joked about the pair competing to see who could grow facial hair fastest, saying: “Well, I think we should have a contest of who can grow the fastest non-beard. Because neither of us can grow a beard, I do not think. I cannot, for sure, but maybe he can. I do not know.” The joke landed because it showed warmth between the two actors, and because Bloom’s enthusiasm is genuine.
Keira Knightley is the exception. She played Elizabeth Swann in the original trilogy and has previously ruled out returning to the franchise, citing her new life as a parent. Geoffrey Rush, who played Captain Hector Barbossa, is reported to be open to returning if conditions are met, as are other franchise veterans. If a sixth film happens, it may therefore reunite Depp and Bloom without Knightley, which would change the dynamic of any original cast reunion.
What Still Has to Happen Before a Return Is Real
Three things still stand between Depp’s comments and a confirmed film. First, the screenplay must reach a standard that satisfies both Depp and Bruckheimer. Second, Disney must formally green light the project and agree terms with its star, which has not happened. Third, a production schedule must be found that fits Depp’s other commitments and Bruckheimer’s slate. None of those steps is trivial, and any one of them could stall the project for months or years.
Fans should also keep expectations in proportion. Depp’s condition suggests that if he does return, it could be his last outing as Jack Sparrow, a final chapter rather than the start of a new trilogy. That would be a fitting end for a character who first appeared in The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003, directed by Gore Verbinski, and who has defined Depp’s screen career ever since. A proper send off is a high bar, and it is the right bar for a character this beloved.
For more celebrity news this week, see Jussie Smollett and Karamo Brown going Instagram official and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s married life update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Johnny Depp confirmed he will return as Jack Sparrow?
No. Depp has said he would return if the story gives the franchise a proper send off and he works with producer Jerry Bruckheimer. He has not confirmed a deal, and Disney has not announced a sixth film.
What is Depp’s one condition for returning?
Depp said his only real wish is to send the series off on a better note, meaning the story must top off the Pirates franchise properly rather than simply bringing Jack Sparrow back for another adventure.
Is there a script for Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
Jeff Nathanson is working on a screenplay, according to producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who has said the team is close but has not quite got the right screenplay yet.
Will Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley return?
Orlando Bloom has said he would like to return as Will Turner and reunite the original cast. Keira Knightley has previously ruled out returning as Elizabeth Swann.
Sources
Reporting for this article drew on entertainment coverage of Depp’s November 2026 interviews. Readers can check the original reporting here: MovieWeb on Depp breaking his silence on a Jack Sparrow return, Riviera Radio on Depp’s condition for returning, and Screen Rant on Depp’s one condition for Pirates 6.
Final Thoughts
Johnny Depp has not signed on for Pirates of the Caribbean 6, but he has done something almost as important: he has told Disney exactly what it would take. A good script, a proper ending, and Jerry Bruckheimer at the helm. That is a clear, reasonable ask from an actor who knows this character better than anyone, and it gives fans a real reason for hope without overpromising. The Black Pearl may yet sail again, and if it does, Depp wants its final voyage to be worthy of the journey. After nearly a decade away, that is the right ambition, and it is worth waiting for the script to catch up with it.
