Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been on a lengthy hiatus for nearly a decade, even after three of the first four films became $1 billion box-office hits. A sixth movie has been in and out of development for years, which would mark the first new story in the saga since 2017’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Unfortunately, even with much of the fandom expressing hope for another swashbuckling adventure, plenty of well-detailed struggles have kept the story from continuing.
Since at least October 2019, Disney has moved through different stages of development on a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean movie. However, due to multiple behind-the-scenes issues (including star Johnny Depp’s long legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard), the next sequel hasn’t had much in terms of positive news over the last seven years. Now, as Disney continues to move forward with so many other franchises and exciting stories, there may still be hope for this saga’s pirates to find their way back into the spotlight again.
Speaking to Collider, Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer addressed Depp’s potential return to the franchise as Captain Jack Sparrow and shared an update on where the sixth movie stands. While the film doesn’t have a script, production timeframe, or cast in place yet, Bruckheimer believes that Depp may rejoin the franchise “if he likes the way the part’s written.” He made it clear that the team is “still working on a screenplay” and that they want to make it, even saying they’re “close on part of it.”
In Dead Men Tell No Tales, Brendan Thwaites’s Henry Turner broke the trident of Poseidon and destroyed every sea curse that was in place. This act freed his father, Orlando Bloom’s Will Turner, from his duty as the Captain of the Flying Dutchman, which he brought upon himself by stabbing the heart of Bill Nighy’s Davy Jones in 2007’s Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. He was also then able to step on land freely and reunite with the love of his life and Henry’s mother, Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Turner (Swann). Additionally, Geoffrey Rush’s Hector Barbossa sacrificed his own life in the fight against Javier Bardem’s Captain Salazar so he could save his daughter, Kaya Scodelario’s Carina Smyth.
That film also includes a post-credits scene with William Turner sleeping when a shadow resembling Davy Jones is seen behind his bed and wakes him up. The camera then pans to the floor to reveal barnacles and water, teasing Jones’ return even after his death in the third movie. While this plot point could certainly be used again, the major focus for now seems to be getting Depp back as Jack Sparrow — a move that could wholly change the fate of this franchise, depending on which way it goes.
The first five Pirates of the Caribbean movies are now streaming on Disney+.
