Adjusting a legendary line from Johnny Depp’s most famous series: “This is the day you’ll always remember, because the day you nearly canceled Captain Jack Sparrow.”
Embattled actor Johnny Depp is rumored to be paid more than $300 million to return to the franchise after being unceremoniously dumped from the franchise in 2018 over abuse allegations by ex Amber Heard “Pirates of the Caribbean”. A source close to Disney allegedly dropped the bombshell in a new interview with Australian outlet Poptopic.
“The deal is reportedly for Johnny Depp to return as Jack Sparrow,” the leaky bird claimed to Down Under Entertainment.
The 59-year-old ‘Donnie Blasco’ star played the domineering pirate in five games
Of the past 19 years of “Pirates” movies, 36-year-old Hurd was dropped from the sixth and final film in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed that Depp claimed to have slandered as a domestic abuser. This reportedly resulted in the “Edward Scissorhands” icon losing $22.5 million in paydays.
However, after Depp won a highly publicized defamation lawsuit earlier this month, House of Mouse appeared willing to let him reinstate the iconic role.
“Disney is very interested in mending their relationship with Johnny Depp,” the source claimed to Poptopic. “They contacted the actor ahead of the defamation trial against Amber Heard and asked if he would be interested in doing one or two more ‘Pirates’ movies.”
The Post has reached out to representatives of Depp and Walt Disney Pictures for comment.
Meanwhile, a rumoured comeback deal is said to be worth up to $301 million, with Depp reportedly set to “return as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6, as well as a film about Captain Black’s early life. Spin-off Disney+ series. Pearl,” according to the source.
“What I can tell you is that the studio has already prepared drafts for a film about Jack Sparrow, so they’re very hopeful that Johnny will forgive them and return as his iconic character,” the source said.
The new development comes after an unnamed Disney executive suggested the “Finding Neverland” actor was wearing Sparrow’s three-cornered hat again after winning a defamation trial.
“I absolutely believe that ‘Pirates’ is ready for a reboot with Johnny back on board as Captain Jack,” the source told PEOPLE earlier this month. “There’s just too much potential box office treasure for a beloved character deeply rooted in Disney culture,” they added.
Earlier this month, Depp was awarded more than $10 million in a defamation case against Heard. A jury in Fairfax, Virginia, found Hurd responsible for defaming Depp. The jury also found that Hurd was defamed by one of Depp’s lawyers, but only awarded her $2 million in damages.
However, the “Aquaman” actress reportedly plans to appeal after her and Depp’s lawyers failed to reach a last-minute settlement on Friday.
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