A former Walt Disney Studios executive thinksJohnny Deppcould someday return to thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise following his victory in his defamation trial against ex-wifeAmber Heard.
Depp, 58, won his defamation claims against Heard, 36, on Wednesday, concluding a contentious six-week legal battle in Virginia that put their private lives in the public eye. (Heard also won one of her three claims of defamation, and her lawyer said Thursday that she plans to appeal.) Afterward,Depp said in a statementthat the jury “gave me my life back” and the “best is yet to come” for him.
While Hollywood insiders have conflicting views on whether his career will bounce back after the trial, a former Disney exec thinks Depp could be asked to return to thePiratesfranchise soon.
“I absolutely believe post-verdict thatPiratesis primed for rebooting with Johnny as Capt. Jack back on board,” the former exec tells PEOPLE. “There is just too much potential box-office treasure for a beloved character deeply embedded in the Disney culture.
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“With [producer] Jerry Bruckheimerriding high on the massive successofTom CruiseinTop Gun: Maverick, there is huge appetite for bringing back bankable Hollywood stars in massively popular franchises,” the insider adds.
A spokesperson for Disney has not responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Depp earned an Oscar nomination for playing Jack Sparrow in the original 2003 filmPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The hit sequels came out in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2017.
Johnny Depp inPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales(2017).Peter Mountain/Walt Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
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Another Hollywood insider who has worked on previousPiratesfilms tells PEOPLE it is “not very likely” Depp will “come back as a star, but they’d probably makePirates 6with Margot Robbie or someone similar.” It was previously reported that Robbie, 31, was being eyed for aPiratesreboot. Franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently toldThe Sunday Timesthey are “developing twoPiratesscripts — one with her, one without.”
The insider, who estimates the sequel wouldn’t “likely” be released until 2025 due to production timelines, says, “I would think they make Robbie his daughter and likely have a cameo with him as a test.”
During his time testifying in the defamation case, Depp spoke about his falling out with Disney executives, saying he felt he’d become “guilty until proven innocent.” The star — who also has theAlice in Wonderlandfranchise with the company — said on the stand that he would not work with Disney again, even if they offered him a $300 million paycheck.
About that comment, the insider tells PEOPLE, “I don’t believe that based on his money troubles, especially givenPiratesis a billion-dollar global franchise.”
An additional industry source says Depp “will work again,” adding, “I do feel someone will give him a chance. He is very likable and very talented. A studio will just have to gauge and see it worth the risk and value, but he also won public opinion. He gained a whole new fan base through this and, yes, he will be back.”
One Hollywood agent tells PEOPLE though “reputations have been torn down on both sides” in the legal battle, Depp’s career could still “flourish, because this is the world that we live in.” They add, “His fans are very loyal and vocal and all know he is far from perfect.”
Johnny Depp (center).STEVE HELBER/POOL/AFP via Getty
Back in November 2020, Depplost his highly publicized U.K. libel lawsuit caseagainst British tabloidThe Sunfor calling him a “wife-beater.” The court upheld the outlet’s claims as being “substantially true” and Heard testified to back up the claims. In March 2021, Depp’s attempt tooverturn the decision was overruled.
source: people.com
