Imagine a swashbuckling world without Johnny Depp's iconic Captain Jack Sparrow.
In a recent conversation with Collider, Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer hinted that this could be the reality facing a sixth movie, which is now in the scripting stage.
"We're working on a draft right now and hopefully we'll get it shortly and give it to Disney and hopefully they'll like it," Bruckheimer revealed. "We've been working on it for a little bit."
On Depp's involvement, he noted: "The one we're developing right now, we're not sure quite what Johnny's role is going to be.
"So, we're going to have to see."
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Considering he's appeared in every movie up until now, a mere cameo would surely disappoint fans around the world.
Related: What's going on with the Pirates of the Caribbean reboot?
Current speculation points to a female lead in the forthcoming Pirates movie, though, and franchise writer Stuart Beattie previously addressed the idea of Depp's departure.
"I think he's had a great run. Obviously, he's made that character his own and it's become the character he's most famous for now," he said.
"And kids all over the world love him as that character so I think it's been great for him, it's been great for us, so I'm just very, very happy about it."
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Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
