A former Disney executive suggested actor Johnny Depp could be making a comeback for the next “Pirates of the Caribbean” film.
“I absolutely believe post-verdict that Pirates is primed for rebooting with Johnny as Capt. Jack back on board,” the former executive told People Magazine.
The individual added, “There is just too much potential box-office treasure for a beloved character deeply embedded in the Disney culture.”
The insider explained, “With [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer riding high on the massive success of Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, there is huge appetite for bringing back bankable Hollywood stars in massively popular franchises.”
Another insider who has worked on other “Pirates” films told the magazine it is “not very likely” Depp will “come back as a star, but they’d probably make Pirates 6 with Margot Robbie or someone similar.”
Additionally, the insider said, “I would think they make Robbie his daughter and likely have a cameo with him as a test.”
An additional industry source explained to People that Depp “will work again,” adding, “I do feel someone will give him a chance. He is very likable and very talented. A studio will just have to gauge and see it worth the risk and value, but he also won public opinion. He gained a whole new fan base through this and, yes, he will be back.”
According to one Hollywood agent, though “reputations have been torn down on both sides” in the legal battle with his ex-wife, Depp’s career could still “flourish, because this is the world that we live in,” as People reported.
They continued, “His fans are very loyal and vocal and all know he is far from perfect.”
The jury sided with Depp in his defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, awarding him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
Warner Bros. Pictures is reportedly set to delete the Heard’s scenes from the film, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”
One high-placed studio source told Page Six, “I think it will be very hard for her.”
Following the verdict, Depp issued a statement, saying, “Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people, who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed. All in the blink of an eye.”
He accused the media of throwing “false, very serious and criminal allegations” at him, leading to an “endless barrage of hateful content.”
Depp added, “It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career.”
He continued, “And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.”
