Many fans, especially those who’ve been with the franchise since its first film in 2003, find it impossible to imagine a Pirates of the Caribbean movie without the iconic Jack Sparrow. However, it appears that Jack Sparrow’s days on the franchise are done as it has been reported that Johnny Depp will not be returning for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. The franchise is one of Disney’s most successful, and Captain Jack Sparrow was a central character who ensured the loyalty of fans and the success of the franchise.The news that Johnny Depp will not be reprising his role as Jack Sparrow has emerged amidst Depp’s ongoing legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard. According to Depp, the domestic abuse allegations leveled against him by Heard led to Disney cutting ties with him in 2018. Fans have not taken kindly to the news, especially given that Heard still maintains her roles in films. On the other hand, Depp has lost his role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and been dropped from Pirates of the Caribbean 6.For many, Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow is the core of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and fans have been vocal with their thoughts on Depp’s absence from the latest movie.
Demands for the ‘Original’ Jack Sparrow
Fans have steadfastly stood by the fact that Depp is, was, and always will be, the only original Captain Jack Sparrow. Despite alternate actors such as Matthew McConaughey and Joaquin Phoenix being discussed as possible replacements for Depp, fans have refused to accept any alternatives to Johnny Depp. The stance of the fans is quite justified. Depp’s charismatic performance as Sparrow in the past five Pirates of the Caribbean films propelled him and the franchise to success.
A popular opinion that Depp is the face of the franchise exists, and it is near impossible to imagine any actor who can take over the iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow. Taking to Twitter, user @amandaj808 wrote:
“There is No pirates of the Caribbean without Jack sparrow without Johnny depp as Jack sparrow. Jack Sparrow is Pirates of the Caribbean #PiratesoftheCaribbean6 #JohnnyDepp”
Expressing similar sentiments, another user on Twitter said:
“#PiratesoftheCaribbean6 without Johnny Depp??? That's like Christmas without Santa Claus...for a lot of people. I guess the question is how many people?”
Boycotting Pirates of the Caribbean
In light of Disney’s decision to exclude Depp from the sixth movie, audiences have threatened to boycott the film. Fans have commented on the hypocrisy of allowing Amber Heard to continue her role as Mera in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, while Depp has not been offered the same chance to reprise his roles. Despite petitions to replace Amber Heard, producers of Aquaman 2 went ahead with her casting, claiming that they would not react to fan pressure and would do “what’s right for the film.” Twitter user @InkunziUMthiya wrote:
“All I know is @Discovery better tell @warnerbros to axe #AmberHeard from #Aquaman2 Same way #JohhnyDepp was axed from #PiratesoftheCaribbean6”
While fans have not denied their love for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, they have reiterated that they will “have no problems missing out” if Johnny Depp is not included in the movie. Depp’s strong presence in the franchise has meant that many viewers kept coming back to follow the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow. However, now that Depp is no longer a part of the movie, fans see no reason to stay loyal to the franchise.
Commenting on the MovieWeb Facebook page, viewers expressed that Depp was the sole reason viewers watched the movies. To see a Pirates of the Caribbean movie without Johnny Depp would be a disservice to the actor and a waste of time and money. Twitter user @Pinkie_Pie_40 wrote:
“JD movie binge this week, POTC1, The Professor, now Secret Window. I will NEVER watch another Pirates movie that doesn't have Johnny Depp in it. EVER!”
The Fate of Fantastic Beasts
Fans have drawn a parallel between the decisions to drop Depp in Fantastic Beasts and Pirates of the Caribbean. Based on their predictions of Fantastic Beasts' outcome, fans have predicted that the sixth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean may also fall short of expectations. As per Variety, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore was the lowest-grossing film from the Harry Potter spinoff series in its opening weekend. Fans have attributed part of this failure to the recasting of Depp’s role as Grindelwald. Mads Mikkelsen took over the role from Depp, but many viewers reported that Mikkelsen did not suit the role, and Grindelwald did not feel like the same character.
Fans have forecasted that Pirates of the Caribbean may suffer the same fate as Fantastic Beasts. Given that Depp is a central character in the film, and the loyal following that Depp’s Sparrow has accumulated, viewers do not believe in a favorable outcome for the movie without Depp. Commenters on MovieWeb.com have claimed that a Pirates of the Caribbean without Depp is likely to be “Disney’s biggest flop” and that the movie would “die.” Twitter user @Stephan76215148 said:
“... Because we all know we must have #JohnnyDepp as our beloved #CaptainJackSparrow, or #PiratesoftheCaribbean6 will fail like #FantasticBeasts3 did!”
Another Twitter user expressed a similar opinion regarding the outcome of the film, saying:
“If #JohnyDepp does not play the role of #CaptainJackSparrow ... I guarantee that #PiratesoftheCaribbean6 will never see the success like the other movies of the franchise.”
No Johnny Depp, No Pirates of the Caribbean
The core of fan opinions on Depp’s absence is that a Pirates of the Caribbean movie simply cannot be a success without Johnny Depp. A petition titled “We Want Johnny Depp Back as Captain Jack Sparrow” has been created on Change.org in a bid to get Disney to include Depp in the latest film.
However, Depp has reiterated that nothing on earth could get him to go back to work with Disney -- not even $300 million and a million alpacas. “There was a deep and distinct sense of feeling betrayed by the people that I've worked hard for,” said Depp in talking of Disney’s decision to drop him.
Despite fans' opinions, the probability of Johnny Depp reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 seems relatively low. However, the film is still in pre-production. This means that there is still time for changes to be made, opinions to be considered, and agreements to be reached. Until then, fans can only hope for the best.