Jerry Bruckheimer has reignited speculation about the future of Pirates of the Caribbean, insisting that Margot Robbie is still very much connected to the franchise – despite years of silence and even Robbie herself saying otherwise.
The story of Robbie’s involvement with Pirates dates back to 2020, when Disney announced a new project written by Birds of Prey screenwriter Christina Hodson, with Robbie attached as the star. At the same time, Bruckheimer was juggling another separate film in development with Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin. Fans saw this as the beginning of a fresh chapter in the series – but as months turned into years, updates became scarce.
By 2022, Robbie told reporters that she believed her female-driven idea had been scrapped. She described it as a story that wasn’t meant to be entirely female-led, but rather a different lens on the pirate world – one that could have offered fresh dynamics and characters. Yet, according to Robbie, Disney seemed uninterested in pursuing it further: “We had an idea and we were developing it for a while… but I guess they don’t want to do it.”
Still, Jerry Bruckheimer has refused to let the sails drop. In 2023, he countered the cancellation talk, suggesting Disney remained committed to Robbie’s film, telling the press: “I think Disney agrees they really want to make the Margot one.” Now, he’s repeated that sentiment in a fresh update to The Wrap: “We’re working on a script. It’s always on the page; if we don’t have it on the page, it’s not gonna get on the screen.”
Bruckheimer explained that at one stage there were two scripts in play, but only one moved forward. Asked directly whether Robbie’s film had been abandoned, he replied pointedly: “Well, she’s still involved.” The exact meaning of that remains ambiguous, but it has been enough to stir fan hopes that Robbie’s vision may still see daylight. It’s also possible she could end up joining the long-rumored Pirates of the Caribbean 6, which Bruckheimer has been openly discussing.
Interestingly, veteran screenwriter Ted Elliott – who co-wrote the first four Pirates films – has been revealed as working on the script that is still alive. That fact alone reassures longtime fans that the DNA of the franchise is being preserved even as Disney considers new directions. And Bruckheimer has further hinted that while the next installment may feature new characters, some familiar faces from earlier films are expected to return.
The most burning question, of course, is whether Johnny Depp will reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. Disney famously cut ties with the actor during his high-profile legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, but Bruckheimer has kept the door open. He admitted that he has spoken to Depp directly and suggested that if Depp likes the script, “I think he would do it.” Any return would certainly be a dramatic turn of events, considering the fallout from Disney’s earlier decision to distance itself from the star.
Meanwhile, Orlando Bloom has said he’d be open to reprising his role as Will Turner, after last being seen sailing off into the horizon with Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann in At World’s End. Bruckheimer has teased that some of the older cast will return, but he stopped short of revealing exactly who. “Not all new actors,” he said. “We’ll have some back. I’m not going to tell you which ones – you’ll have to guess.”
For Robbie, her calendar remains packed. She is set to star in a Gothic psychological adaptation of Wuthering Heights, scheduled for 2026, and DC’s James Gunn has teased that her portrayal of Harley Quinn still has a future in the reshaped DC Universe. Beyond that, Robbie is reportedly in early talks to join Tim Burton’s planned remake of the cult sci-fi comedy Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman.
As for Johnny Depp, he has been slowly reemerging after years in the shadows. He’s currently collaborating on a graphic novel project with none other than Ridley Scott, exploring a dark reimagining of the character of Hyde. It suggests that while his Hollywood comeback remains uncertain, his creative projects are alive and well.
The uncertainty surrounding the next Pirates movie is oddly fitting for a series that has always thrived on unpredictability. Whether Robbie takes the wheel, Depp returns to the helm, or Disney launches a new crew entirely, what seems clear is that Bruckheimer has no intention of letting the Pirates brand drift into obscurity. For now, all eyes remain on the scripts being written, and on the willingness of both stars and studio to navigate the franchise’s stormy seas toward another cinematic voyage.