Johnny Depp at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2023.Photo:Guillaume Horcajuelo/Pool/Getty
Guillaume Horcajuelo/Pool/Getty
Johnny Depphasn’t ruled out a return toDisney.
“Anything is possible,” the Depp insider says. “If it’s the right project, he’ll do it.”
While the source doesn’t specify whether the actor would return for anotherPiratesfilm,The New York Timesnoted in a June 5 article that Disney was “seemingly inching the door open” to collaborating with again with Depp.
Buzz about a potential return to his role of Captain Jack Sparrow comes just over a year after Depp’scontentious defamation trialagainst ex-wifeAmber Heard. A seven-person jury reached a verdict that largely sided with Depp, though Heard, 37, won one of her three counterclaims.
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Despite many fans' hopes at the time, a rep for Depptold PEOPLE in June of last yearthat a reportclaimingthe actor was returning to thePiratesfranchise for over $300 million was “false.”
The saga’s producerJerry Bruckheimertold U.K. outletThe Timesin an interview published the previous month (while Depp was still in court for his defamation trial against Heard) that his team was working on “twoPiratesscripts — one with [Margot Robbie], one without.”
As for Depp potentially being involved, Bruckheimer, 79,said, “Not at this point"but “the future is yet to be decided.”
While Hollywood insiders had conflicting views on whether Depp’s career would bounce back after the trial, a former Disney exec told PEOPLE at the time, “I absolutely believe post-verdict thatPiratesis primed for rebooting with Johnnyas Capt. Jack back on board. There is just too much potential box-office treasure for a beloved character deeply embedded in the Disney culture.”
“With Jerry Bruckheimerriding high on the massive successofTom CruiseinTop Gun: Maverick, there is huge appetite for bringing back bankable Hollywood stars in massively popular franchises,” the insider added.
Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow inPirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales(2017).Film Frame/Walt Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
Film Frame/Walt Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
Depp earned anOscarnomination for playing Jack Sparrow in the original 2003 filmPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Its hit sequels came out in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2017.
For now, Depp is set to direct theAl Pacino-starring biopicModi, which will tell the story of 20th-century painter Amedeo Modigliani.
He also recently made an appearance at the 2023Cannes Film Festivalto promote his movieJeanne du Barryin which he plays Louis XV, the king of France who ruled from September 1715 until his death in 1774, opposite director Maïwenn.
The French film received a seven-minute standing ovation, which the Depp source notesmoved the actor to tearsand “was incredibly welcoming.”
“He loved being there,” the insider adds.
For more on Johnny Depp and Amber Heard one year post-defamation-trial, pick up the latest issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
