Should Johnny Depp Cameo In Pirates Of The Caribbean 6? Here’s What His Co-Star Says
While Disney has tried several times to launch movies that were inspired by its theme park attractions, the only real success the movie side of the company has seen has come from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. With five movies that have made over $4 billion in total, it's no surprise that Disney is reportedly looking at multiple ways to take the franchise forward. But what seems clear at this point is that when Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is released, assuming it ever is, it will happen without Johnny Depp or Captain Jack Sparrow. But should he get a cameo?
Over the last few years Johnny Depp has found himself spending more time in court rooms than on movie sets, and the allegations that have followed Depp, mostly surrounding his relationship with ex-wife Amber Heard, have reportedly led Disney to make the decision to move the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise forward without Captain Jack Sparrow, but at least one of Depp's co-stars doesn't think that's the right call.
Greg Ellis, who played Lt. Groves in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, has had his own dealings with the legal system in recent years, and has published a book on the topic for which Johnny Depp wrote the introduction. Ellis recently told Express, that he thinks Depp should be back for the next Pirates film, as having a Pirates of the Caribbean 6 without Johnny Depp is like having any ship without a captain. Ellis explains...
Greg Ellis' argument is understandable. Captain Jack Sparrow has been a major part of the franchise up until this point. So if Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is a direct sequel to the previous films and doesn't include Sparrow, that would certainly feel like something (or in this case someone) is missing. Ellis' seems to feel that Johnny Depp shouldn't just have a cameo in a new movie but should be a big part of it. However, reports have claimed that Disney has killed even the idea of a cameo for Depp in a future film.
At the same time, Disney it wouldn't be surprising if Disney felt that doing a Pirates of the Caribbean 6 without Captain Jack would be difficult at best. Which is likely why, as far as we know, that movie isn't really on the agenda. There are reportedly two separate Pirates of the Caribbean movies in development. One is being written by Christina Hodson and is looking to star Margot Robbie. Another film is being written by the duo of Ted Elliot and Craig Mazin. The first one is certainly a new direction for the franchise, and the second is not confirmed to be a sequel. Elliot and Mazin were brought in following the departure of Deadpool Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, who were originally brought in to reboot the franchise.
It would seem a future for Johnny Depp here is unlikely. However, Greg Ellis does ultimately believe that, one way or another, Depp will be back on the big screen. He continues...
Of course, it's been a while since we've heard any real news on any of these projects, so what's happening with them is far from clear any anything could change. It's possible Disney is hoping that the forthcoming Jungle Cruise, will become the studio's new theme park franchise, and Pirates might end up sinking down to Davy Jones' Locker for a long time.
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CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis. Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.