Johnny Depp is open to another voyage as Captain Jack Sparrow — provided the story gives him a meaningful reason to return.

Speaking during the promotional tour for his upcoming film Ebenezer, the actor addressed the possibility of appearing in Pirates of the Caribbean 6. He stopped short of confirming his involvement, instead explaining what would matter to him creatively and personally.

At the centre of his answer were two things: the opportunity to give the franchise a more satisfying send-off and his longstanding friendship with producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

A return with a purpose

Depp said his interest would depend on how the next film intends to bring the Pirates story forward. His priority, he explained, would be to “send them off on a better note.”

He also made clear that his relationship with Bruckheimer remains strong, expressing a willingness to work with the producer on almost any project because of the trust between them.

The remarks leave the possibility of another Jack Sparrow appearance open. They do not establish that Depp has signed a deal or that the sixth film will be the franchise’s final instalment.

The screenplay remains central to the conversation

Bruckheimer has previously expressed optimism about bringing Depp back. In August 2025, he confirmed that they had discussed another Pirates film and suggested the actor would be interested if he liked how the role was written.

At that stage, the producer said the screenplay was still being developed. His comments placed the emphasis on finding the right material before moving ahead.

Jeff Nathanson, who wrote 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales, has worked on the next film. Bruckheimer had praised the script’s third act in 2024 while acknowledging that further work was needed elsewhere in the story.

The character who helped define the franchise

Depp first appeared as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003, alongside Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and Geoffrey Rush.

Directed by Gore Verbinski, the film introduced audiences to a pirate whose unpredictable alliances and appetite for trouble became central to the series. Its story paired Jack with Will Turner on a mission to rescue Elizabeth Swann and reclaim the Black Pearl from Captain Barbossa.

Depp went on to headline five Pirates films between 2003 and 2017. Together, they earned approximately $4.5 billion worldwide, with Dead Man’s Chest and On Stranger Tides each passing the $1 billion mark.

That history explains the attention surrounding another appearance: Jack remains closely associated with the franchise, even as its producers explore a new direction.

A new screen transformation arrives this month

Depp’s latest comments come as he prepares to appear as another familiar fictional character, Ebenezer Scrooge, in Ti West’s Ebenezer.

The Paramount film is scheduled for theatrical release on November 13, 2026. Set in Dickens’ London, it follows Scrooge’s supernatural confrontation with his past, present and future, and his opportunity for a second chance.

The cast includes Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley and Ian McKellen, bringing an extensive ensemble to the holiday ghost story.

While promoting that new role, Depp has offered a clearer sense of what another turn as Jack Sparrow would require: a story he believes in, shaped with a producer he trusts.