Johnny Depp is open to one last Pirates of the Caribbean — but there’s a condition

It feels like a lifetime since we had a proper Pirates of the Caribbean film, doesn’t it? Nearly a decade out and suddenly Disney’s swashbuckling franchise is waving a cutlass in the air again. The big question every time this sort of rumour surfaces is the same: will Johnny Depp actually return as the infamous Jack Sparrow, or is it all just wishful thinking on the part of nostalgic fans and hopeful producers?

Depp told Entertainment Tonight on his Ebenezer press tour: "If things are exactly where they need to be with regard to how they are going to top off the 'Pirates' franchise… the only involvement I really want to have, truly, is just to send them off on a better note. I will go to work with [Jerry] Bruckheimer tomorrow for anything. Doesn’t matter… if it’s Jerry, I trust him. We have a deep friendship."

Supporting Cast, Shifting Spotlight

So, no outright confirmation from Depp, but no flat denial either. The other detail that’s started swirling, mostly from various reports and leaks, is that Jack Sparrow’s role would be dialed back if he does show up. Apparently, Margot Robbie is the odds-on favourite to headline this new instalment, and Sparrow might just be there for a bit of extra spice rather than running the entire show. Makes a sort of sense, honestly—Jack’s always been best as the unpredictable element rather than the focus.

The Old Guard Speak Up

It’s not just Depp who’s been asked about coming back. Geoffrey Rush, who played Captain Barbossa, has said he’d be keen on another go, but only if it feels right. He went full Shakespeare about it, mentioning Hamlet’s father coming back as a ghost—so clearly he’d only want to return if the script gives him something properly meaty (or at least a decent haunt).

Speaking about another appearance, Rush said, "It’ll take good writing, but just to come back and annoy Jack Sparrow for one more go, you know? I’d even say get the fans to write in what they’d like to see happen."

Then there’s Orlando Bloom (Will Turner), who still keeps in touch with the old cast and admits he pesters them about a sequel "all the time." He’s been chatting to Depp here and there, apparently. Bloom seems as in the dark as the rest of us about whether it’ll all actually happen, but clearly the original cast are still mates and keep the idea on the table.

• Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is in active development, nearly 10 years after the last sequel.