‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Reboot Moves Forward With Margot Robbie as Disney Weighs Johnny Depp’s Return

The latest update on the next “Pirates of the Caribbean” is a big one — via The InSneider. Apparently, Krysty Wilson-Cairns — writer of “1917,” who also teamed with Taika Waititi on his upcoming Star Wars movie — will write the script for a reboot that has become a priority for newly installed Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro.

Although a decision will soon be made on whether to bring back Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow, the story is said to focus on Sparrow’s son and a new character, which will be played by Margot Robbie.

That would open the door to Depp making an appearance of some kind, but again, a decision has yet to be made on bringing him back.

This parallels what ‘Pirates’ producer Jerry Bruckheimer said back in October 2025. Disney had developed two competing versions of ‘Pirates 6,’ but only one has survived. Interestingly, he clarified that Robbie, who was once rumored to lead a scrapped spinoff, remained attached.

“She’s still involved,” he confirmed.

Franchise veteran Ted Elliott has already contributed to the screenplay, with additional writers now filling in the gaps. That writer now seems to be Cairns.

Bruckheimer — long a champion of Depp’s return to “Pirates of the Caribbean” — told EW that the actor was open to reprising the role for a sixth film, provided he liked the script.

The last time Depp played Sparrow was in 2017’s ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales.’ Since then, the Amber Heard allegations have led to him being relegated to starring in lower-budget films such as “The Professor,” “City of Lies,” “Waiting for the Barbarians,” and “Minamata.” Depp’s most recent project was “Modi,” which he directed and which world-premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival. However, Depp is currently shooting Ti West’s “Ebeneezer: A Christmas Carol” for Paramount, which is set to be his first major studio film in nearly a decade.

The “Pirates” franchise has felt dead to many fans, especially after the last installment. As far as I’m concerned, the only truly great entry was the 2003 original. However, money talks, and in Hollywood, reboots are greenlit on a near-weekly basis. That said, it’s very hard to imagine a ‘Pirates’ movie without Depp’s Sparrow being included.