Johnny Depp's potential comeback as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has not been ruled out by Disney

 

Johnny Depp's possible return to reprise his iconic Captain Jack Sparrow character in the new Pirates of the Caribbean film has not been ruled out by Disney. 

The actor, 59, was axed from the franchise by the company in 2018, as they wanted to bring a 'new energy' to the much-loved films. 

But in a recent interview with The New York Times, Disney Studios Motion Picture Production president Sean Bailey discussed the future of the sixth film and left the door for Depp's potential return open. 

'We think we have a really good, exciting story that honors the films that have come before but also has something new to say,' he stated. 

When asked if Depp might be part of that story, Bailey replied that the studio was 'noncommittal at this point.' 

There's hope! Johnny Depp's return to reprise his iconic Captain Jack Sparrow character in the new Pirates of the Caribbean film has not been ruled out by Disney; Depp seen in 2023

And though it is not a resounding yes, it's also not exactly a no. 

Depp last played the swashbuckling character in 2017's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. 

Rumors of Depp returning to the franchise also circulated last year.

At the time it was reported that the actor was in talks with Disney about a '$300 million deal' after winning his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, though later sources confirmed to DailyMail.com that the information was false. 

The Edward Scissorhands star previously told the jury that he would not work with Disney again after he was scrubbed from the sixth Pirates movie.

His legal team claims Depp lost out on a $22 million payday after Heard published her Washington Post op-ed in 2018 that didn't identify Depp, but clearly branded him as a domestic abuser. 

Depp said he felt as if he was 'guilty until proven innocent' with Disney executives.

Depp sued Heard over the op-ed she wrote, describing herself as 'a public figure representing domestic abuse.'

The jury found in Depp's favor on all three of his claims relating to specific statements in the 2018 piece.

After a six-week trial last year, it was determined that Heard had defamed her ex-husband and she was ordered to pay him over $ 8 million in damages — though they later agreed on $1million in order to put an end to their legal battle. 

In 2018, a Disney producer claimed that Depp would not be asked to return, saying they wanted to bring a 'new energy' to the much-loved films.

New ideas to breathe life into the franchise, included a female-led Pirates Of The Caribbean, starring Margot Robbie.

However in an interview with Vanity Fair last year, the Oscar nominee revealed the highly-anticipated of the film will her in it will not happen.

'We had an idea and we were developing it for a while, ages ago, to have more of a female-led—not totally female-led, but just a different kind of story—which we thought would've been really cool, but I guess they don't want to do it,' she said of Disney.

It's been a good couple weeks for Depp, who received a seven-minute standing ovation at the premiere of his comeback film Jeanne du Barry during the Cannes Film Festival last month.

The acclaimed actor - who plays King Louis XV in the period drama - teared up while taking in the moment with director and co-star Maïwenn by his side.

Might be tough: The Edward Scissorhands star previously stated that he would not work with Disney again after he was scrubbed from the sixth Pirates movie; Pictured 2023

Previous legal woes: His legal team claimed Depp lost out on a $22 million payday after his ex-wife Amber Heard published her Washington Post op-ed in 2018 that didn't identify Depp, but clearly branded him as a domestic abuser; Pictured with Heard in 2016

The film is Depp's first project since he was blackballed by Hollywood in the years following Heard's abuse allegations in 2016.

The 76th Film Festival also marked Depp's first red carpet appearance since his court victory. 

The Edward Scissorhands star was greeted with applause and supported by a sea of adoring fans upon his arrival.

Depp couldn't hide his delight about being back in the Hollywood fold, after previously being dropped from several projects during the trial, including the Fantastic Beasts film franchise.