The long-awaited sixth installment of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is moving forward, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealing key details about the project. After an eight-year break since 2017’s “Dead Men Tell No Tales,” fans now have concrete information about what’s next for the series.
“We’re working on a screenplay. Hopefully we’ll get it right — and then we’ll make it. We really want to make it, that’s for sure,” Bruckheimer said in a recent ScreenRant interview. The producer confirmed the next film will offer “a new take” on the franchise while maintaining connections to previous movies.
Most notably, Bruckheimer stated: “Not all new actors. We’ll have some back.” While refusing to name specific returning cast members, this confirmation has sparked excitement among fans of the $4.5 billion franchise.
The biggest question remains whether Johnny Depp will reprise his iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow. Following legal troubles with ex-wife Amber Heard, Disney distanced itself from Depp, who later testified he wouldn’t return “even for $300 million.” Despite this, Bruckheimer has consistently supported Depp’s potential return.
“It’s a reboot, but if it was up to me, he would be in it,” Bruckheimer told Entertainment Weekly in May 2024. “He created Captain Jack. That was not on the page, that was him doing a little Pepé Le Pew and Keith Richards.”
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Orlando Bloom, who played Will Turner, has expressed interest in returning. “I personally think it’d be great to get the band back together,” Bloom said. Meanwhile, Keira Knightley has indicated she may not return as Elizabeth Swann due to family commitments.
The production team has developed two different scripts—one including Jack Sparrow and another without him. Screenwriter Jeff Nathanson, who wrote the fifth film, is working on the current screenplay. A previous script from Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott was described as “so weird” that Mazin was surprised Disney approved it.
Bruckheimer’s decision to bring back some original cast members suggests the film will maintain continuity with previous entries while introducing new elements. This strategy aligns with the franchise’s history of blending familiar characters with fresh faces and storylines.
The fifth Pirates film earned nearly $800 million worldwide despite mixed reviews, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the franchise. The new film’s approach appears designed to capitalize on this popularity while refreshing the formula.
Reports from April 2025 suggested a potential Easter 2026 release if production begins soon. However, Disney has not officially announced a timeline or release date.
For fans wondering about the franchise’s future direction, Bruckheimer’s confirmation of returning cast offers the most concrete evidence yet that Pirates 6 will honor its legacy while sailing into uncharted waters. Which specific pirates will return to the screen remains Disney’s closely guarded secret for now.
