Johnny Depp no longer rules out a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' return after years away from franchise

Johnny Depp isn't shutting the door on a return to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" is one of the most successful franchises in Hollywood history. The first film — "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" — was released in 2003 and ushered in a new era of superstardom for Depp. It also launched the A-list careers of Kiera Knightley and Orlando Bloom.

Four more films were released between 2006 and 2017 with Depp always reprising his role of Captain Jack Sparrow.

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However, the franchise never returned past 2017 following the fallout between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife, Amber Heard, who he famously and successfully sued for defamation over abuse allegations published in the Washington Post.

Johnny Depp attends the "Modigliani - Three Days On The Wing Of Madness" UK Premiere at the Curzon Mayfair on July 08, 2025, in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Johnny Depp doesn't rule out 'Pirates of the Caribbean' return

Depp previously said there wasn't anything that could convince him to return to the franchise after the fallout.

Now, it sounds like he's changing his tune and is open to reprising his role as Jack Sparrow if the situation is right.

US actor Johnny Depp sued his ex-wife Amber Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court after she wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Post in 2018 referring to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse. (Photo by JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

"If things are exactly where they need to be with regard to how they are going to top off the 'Pirates.' The only involvement I really want to have, truly, is just to send them off on a better note," Depp told Entertainment Tonight in a video published Monday.

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He continued, "I'll go to work with [producer Jerry] Bruckheimer tomorrow for anything, you know. Doesn't matter. If it's Jerry, I trust him and we have deep friendship."

You can watch his full comments in the video below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" at its best — certainly the original film — is what great cinema is at its finest. It's fun, original, entertaining and doesn't take itself too seriously. There's also no preachy woke nonsense. Granted, that garbage didn't really exist in 2003.

While it's very unclear if Depp will ever return to the "Pirates" universe, he has plenty of other things going on as he builds his career back up.

He starred in "Jeanne du Barry" in 2023 and is starring in "Ebenezer," set for release Nov. 13, 2026, and "Day Drinker," scheduled for release in 2027.

Both of his upcoming releases are major productions with stacked casts.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 11: Johnny Depp attends the Closing Night red carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival 2025 on December 11, 2025, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ((Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival))

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Would you like to see Johnny Depp run it back once more as Captain Jack Sparrow? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.