Disney's
Pirates of the Caribbean first set sail in 2003.
The Curse of the Black Pearl paved the way for an incredibly successful franchise inspired by the popular theme park attraction. But over the years, the
Pirates of the Caribbean franchise became synonymous with Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, and because of that, it began to feel a little stale.
Back in October is when we first heard reports of
Disney's desire to reboot the franchise and soon after we learned that the company
wasn't looking to bring back Johnny Depp. Those were only reports, however, and it wasn't until an interview this week with the Hollywood Reporter, that Disney executives seemingly confirmed the news.
As part of a lengthy interview, Sean Bailey, president of production at The Walt Disney Studios, was asked about the hiring of writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick on a possible
Pirates of the Caribbean reboot and if he felt the franchise could survive without Johnny Depp.
We want to bring in a new energy and vitality. I love the [Pirates] movies, but part of the reason Paul and Rhett are so interesting is that we want to give it a kick in the pants. And that's what I've tasked them with.
While Wernick's response didn't necessarily answer the question, his answer is being taken as confirmation that Depp won't return to the franchise. After all, he didn't deny the reports, correct the interviewer, or attempt to set the record straight.
With five movies, the
Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has grossed more than $4.5 billion worldwide. The most recent,
Dead Men Tell No Tales, hauled in $794.9 million worldwide. That's more than
The Curse of the Black Pearl's box office, but
the lowest of the four sequels.
With Bailey offering his view, let's leave it to the audience. Would you have any interest in seeing a
Pirates of the Caribbean moving without Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow?