Reports have surfaced about the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, suggesting Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow will play second fiddle to Margot Robbie’s lead character in the film. Nearly a decade later, Disney has ignited the spark of hope for a Pirates installment, and that too with Johnny Depp in it, which seemed almost impossible until just a few years ago. But fans might have to curb their enthusiasm, as Depp will not be leading the series anymore, according to reports.

Margot Robbie is touted as the new center of attention of the franchise, with Depp being rebranded as a side character.

Johnny Depp last portrayed Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series almost ten years ago, in 2017's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer of Pirates of the Caribbean, is still optimistic that Depp will return in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 despite his highly publicized legal issues and public falling-out with Disney. Recent remarks made by Bruckheimer to Deadline at D23 appeared encouraging.

"We’re talking with Johnny [Depp], we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done," he said. But according to a recent claim, Depp's Jack Sparrow will not play the lead in the next film in the franchise. 

According to Deadline, Johnny Depp would return as Jack Sparrow for a supporting part in Pirates of the Caribbean 6. The lead part, however, would be played by Margot Robbie, who has been linked to a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie since 2020. Although Robbie was initially slated to star in a Pirates of the Caribbean spin-off, it seems that the project has been combined with Pirates of the Caribbean 6, with the goal of Robbie perhaps replacing Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow in the franchise.

The idea of Johnny Depp being replaced or seconded in the Pirates franchise seems bizarre and foreign, as he is the heart of the film series. 

Without a doubt, the face of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Johnny Depp's portrayal of Jack Sparrow brought the five-film series to $4.52 billion at the box office globally, in addition to earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. However, Depp's star power and box office dependability started to dwindle following a string of underwhelming films, including Mordecai, The Lone Ranger, and Alice Through the Looking Glass, as well as a highly publicized divorce and accusations from his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

Depp had previously declared that he had no plans to collaborate with Disney. Depp claimed he felt "betrayed" by Disney for pulling away from him during his defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard. Anyhow, with his part in Ti West's Ebenezer, a retelling of A Christmas Carol that is heavily promoting itself on Depp's track record of portraying extravagant characters like Jack Sparrow, the actor is currently hoping to make a major Hollywood return.

Do you like the idea of Margot Robbie taking the lead from Johnny Depp in the Pirates franchise? Do let us know in the comments.