Johnny Depp is close to officially reprising his role of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 5, just after Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides passed the $1 billion mark at the worldwide box office.

We reported back in May that the Pirates of the Caribbean 5 script by Terry Rossio was completed. At the time, Johnny Depp indicated he hadn't read the script. It seems he has read it since then and is close to finalizing his deal to return. Our earlier report did indicate, however, that Johnny Depp wants to hold off a bit on making Pirates of the Caribbean 5. Here's what he said back in May.

"It boils down to story, script and filmmaker. It's not something where I would say, 'Let's shoot it next month to get it out by Christmas 2012.' We should hold off for a bit. They should be special, just like they are special to me."

There is no indication on when production might start on Pirates of the Caribbean 5, especially since a director hasn't been formally attached. Back in January, Disney indicated they wanted to bring back Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides director Rob Marshall to direct Pirates of the Caribbean 5, although nothing is official yet.