Since Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales came out in 2017, there’s been chatter about a sequel. Things got a bit messy after Johnny Depp’s very public split and court battle with Amber Heard. For a while, it looked like he was out as Captain Jack. But now that interest in a rumored Pirates 6 is picking up again, the film’s producer has made it clear where he stands on Depp coming back.
In February 2026, a report emerged suggesting that a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie was in development, focusing on Jack Sparrow's son. This raised questions about whether Johnny Depp would be replaced as the lead character in the franchise. However, when The Direct spoke with franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer at the Producers Guild Awards, he clarified the situation and shared his perspective:
First of all, that's not true. No, no, no. Johnny... if it's up to me, he'll be in it.
Bruckheimer has been the driving producing force behind all five Pirates films, making him the one constant throughout the franchise’s two-decade run. If anyone has a major say in what the next installment looks like, and whether the Edward Scissorhands star returns, it’s him. And he’s consistently made it clear that he’d welcome Johnny Depp back.
Bringing the Ed Wood actor into a sixth film would not only energize longtime fans but also provide a natural bridge between the franchise’s past and whatever direction it heads next, especially if the idea of introducing Jack Sparrow’s son is still on the table. Of course, the ultimate decision rests with the actor. Back in July 2023, a source told People that “anything is possible” regarding a potential return, leaving the door at least slightly ajar.
It’s also worth remembering that Bruckheimer famously stood by Depp’s eccentric take on Captain Jack Sparrow in the early days, even when others were skeptical of the performance. His continued involvement in a sixth movie signals stability at a time when the franchise appears to be recalibrating. And the ongoing chatter about the Willy Wonka performer's return is likely one of the reasons Disney continues to quietly develop the project behind the scenes.
Then there’s the Margot Robbie factor. For years, reports suggested that she would produce and potentially star in a female-led Pirates spinoff, essentially a soft reboot set in the same universe. That version seemed to stall out, but Bruckheimer recently offered a cryptic update when asked whether the next film would involve Robbie or Jack’s son. His response? “They’re close on part of it. That’s all I’ll tell ya.”
After his latest comments at the PGA Awards, it’s hard not to wonder which “part” he was referring to, and whether Depp’s return is more realistic than fans might have assumed.
That said, if you’re placing bets on whether Top Gun 3 or Pirates 6 will hit theaters first, you might want to put your money on Maverick. While neither sequel will be ready for the 2026 movie schedule, Bruckheimer, producer of both franchises, has indicated that the next high-octane Tom Cruise installment is further along in development.
