With a jury verdict giving Johnny Depp vindication in the eyes of millions of filmgoers, could a return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise be forthcoming? Following a six-week trial, a jury declared that Depp's ex-wife Amber Heard had defamed him by fabricating allegations of domestic abuse, and she was ordered to pay $15 million in damages. For many, the verdict serves as proof that Depp is not an abuser of women and should not have had his film career derailed.

During the trial, Depp testified that Heard's allegations had cost him his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The actor claimed that all conversations about a potential sixth film dried up when the allegations begun generating negative publicity about Depp. He says that he felt "betrayed" by Disney cutting ties with him after so many years of collaborating on the franchise.

But maybe the fans' hopes of getting Jack Sparrow to return to the big screen shouldn't be dashed just yet. In a new interview with People, a former Walt Disney Studios executive said that the House of Mouse will most likely end up sending Depp an offer to return for another film. With the defamation trial verdict essentially clearing his name, the exec feels that there's nothing that should hold back Disney from reuniting with Depp, given the immense fan interest in making it happen.

"I absolutely believe post-verdict that Pirates is primed for rebooting with Johnny as Captain Jack back on board. There is just too much potential box-office treasure for a beloved character deeply embedded in the Disney culture. With [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer riding high on the massive success of Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, there is huge appetite for bringing back bankable Hollywood stars in massively popular franchises."

Related: Pirates of the Caribbean Without Jack Sparrow: What Do Fans Think?

Disney Might Invite Johnny Depp to Return, But Would He?

Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest
Walt Disney Studios

It's certainly possible that Johnny Depp could return for another film. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently confirmed that there are two Pirates of the Caribbean scripts in development, with one featuring Margot Robbie and one without. He also said there wasn't a plan in place at that time for Depp to return but that "the future is yet to be decided."

The biggest obstacle in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 happening is that Depp may no longer be interested in doing the film. During the trial, Depp was pressed by attorneys on a comment he'd made that he would never return to the franchise even if Disney had offered him "300 million dollars and a million alpacas." Depp confirmed that he really felt that way, based on how he felt betrayed by Disney cutting ties with him over allegations that were just determined by a jury to be false.

Emotions were certainly high given Depp's investment in the films, but at the same time, he hasn't exactly said farewell to Jack Sparrow. He was recorded on video channeling the Captain by doing the character's voice for fans outside of the courthouse. Perhaps once the dust settles, the actor will have a change of heart and end up coming back for one more film.