Should Johnny Depp really return to the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’?

In the wake of his monumental victory in the highly-publicized defamation trial against Amber Heard, Johnny Depp is having a bit of a renaissance in the public eye. While the fifty-nine-year-old megastar isn’t without his foibles, many people are now seeing him as a complex figure who’s been through a lot in life. He may have even redeemed himself in the eyes of Hollywood.

While Johnny Depp hasn’t appeared in a feature film since Minamata in 2020, fans are understandably clamoring for the actor to return to the silver screen. It may seem as though Disney is too. Perhaps Depp’s most iconic role & the one that made him an international household name is Captain Jack Sparrow from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series. 

Johnny Depp was dropped from the Pirates of the Caribbean films in 2018 after Amber Heard alleged that Depp had abused her. Despite this, Disney is now reportedly trying to get Johnny back aboard the Black Pearl. If Johnny Depp were to return to Pirates of the Caribbean, how much would Disney be willing to pay him? Keep reading to find out.

Disney offers Depp the big bucks

The last time Johnny Depp appeared in a Pirates of the Caribbean film was in 2017 with Dead Men Tell No Tales. While this film earned nearly $800 million at the box office, it was disliked by critics & many fans, a sign that perhaps the franchise had run its course. However, now that Johnny Depp is back in the zeitgeist, Disney is ready to jump at the chance for a reboot.

A source told Poptopic that Johnny Depp has been in talks with the company regarding a “$300 million deal” to get Depp back in his Captain Jack Sparrow outfit. The source also stated that Disney is attempting to heal its relationship with Depp following the legal drama with Amber Heard. Disney apparently recently reached out to Depp.

The insider said, “They reached out to the actor prior to his defamation trial against Amber Heard and asked whether he would be interested in returning for another pirate film or two.” Not only that, but the source also stated that we could be seeing a Disney+ Pirates of the Caribbean series. When it rains it pours, it seems.

The anonymous source told Poptopic, “The deal is reportedly for Johnny Depp to return as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 and a spin-off Disney Plus series about the early life of the Captain of The Black Pearl.” With Star Wars & Marvel getting multiple spin-off series, it makes sense for Disney to tap into one of its most popular brands.

Back in the Black Pearl

Disney’s alleged deal with Johnny Depp may go as high as $301 million. This would definitely help the actor with his financial troubles that were put on display during the defamation trial against his ex-wife. Disney is also apparently going to give a “sizable donation” to a charity of Depp’s choosing as a way to patch things up with him.

During the trial, Johnny Depp told the jury that he had no desire to work with Disney anymore after they scrapped him from the 6th Pirates of the Caribbean film. Depp’s lawyers alleged that he missed out on a twenty-two million dollar paycheck from Disney after Amber Heard published her 2018 Washington Post op-ed that insinuated that Depp was an abuser.

Regarding Disney’s executives, Johnny Depp said he felt as though he was, “guilty until proven innocent.” With regard to the op-ed that Heard wrote, the Virginia jury found the claims she made false & ruled in Depp’s favor. Heard is forced to pay Depp over eight million dollars in damages, although she allegedly admitted she can’t afford it.

Heard is purportedly considering appealing her case as she is close to bankruptcy. The thirty-six-year-old actress, “considers her career in Hollywood over,” and that she “has nothing to lose,” following the case. 

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After winning his defamation suit against Amber Heard, Johnny Depp has reportedly been offered over $300 million by Disney to return to Pirates of the Caribbean. What do you think of this? Let us know in the comments!