Nearly a decade after its last cinematic outing, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise appears to be quietly preparing for a bold return. One that could blend legacy, reinvention, and long-rumored ideas into a single, high-stakes comeback.
The franchise’s most recent installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, sailed into theaters in 2017. Since then, speculation has swirled around what a sixth film or potential spinoff might look like, and whether Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow would ever return. Now, a new industry report suggests that Disney may be combining several of those long-gestating concepts into one streamlined vision.
A Priority Under New Leadership
According to The InSneider, Pirates of the Caribbean has become a renewed priority following Josh D’Amaro’s reported succession of Bob Iger as Disney CEO, alongside Walt Disney Company President and Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden. The goal, reportedly, is to recapture the spirit that made the original films a phenomenon while modernizing the approach and tightening the budget.
The rumored direction for Pirates 6 is said to “capture the tone of the original films but with a modern edge,” centering the story on Jack Sparrow’s son, alongside a new character portrayed by Margot Robbie. If true, the project could mark a generational shift for the franchise—honoring its past while decisively steering toward its future.
A Merged Vision Takes Shape
Adding fuel to the speculation, Oscar-nominated writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns is reportedly attached to the screenplay. While Disney has yet to officially confirm the project, the news aligns with previous announcements that Robbie would lead a Pirates spinoff. This latest report suggests those plans may now be merging, but transforming what were once separate ideas into a unified continuation of the franchise. If accurate, the move signals a strategic recalibration. Not a reboot, but a reinvention.
The Weight Of A Legendary Legacy
Inspired by the classic Disneyland attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean originally thrived on the unpredictable charisma of Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow, supported by a memorable cast that included Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and later Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, and Chow Yun-fat.
However, Depp’s potential absence looms large. With Jack Sparrow’s role possibly being passed to his on-screen son, Disney faces the challenge of sustaining the franchise’s identity without its most iconic figure. Complicating matters further, original director Gore Verbinski has publicly stated he doesn’t envision returning, while Orlando Bloom has expressed interest in a reunion of the original cast.
A Franchise At A Crossroads
The path forward won’t be easy. While The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) was a runaway summer success that redefined modern blockbuster adventure, subsequent installments struggled to match its critical acclaim. By the time Dead Men Tell No Tales arrived, the franchise hit an all-time low 30% Rotten Tomatoes score. Despite earning nearly $800 million worldwide, a figure undercut by its massive reported budget of $230–$320 million.
Can Pirates Reclaim Its Treasure?
These latest rumors suggest Disney is preparing a hard pivot, one that acknowledges franchise fatigue while betting on fresh storytelling and new leads to restore relevance. Whether that strategy pays off remains to be seen… but the stakes have never been higher.
For Pirates of the Caribbean, the next voyage isn’t just about buried treasure or cursed gold. It’s about whether a once-unstoppable franchise can rediscover the magic that made it legendary or finally surrender to the tide. For now, all eyes remain on Disney’s next move as the Pirates legacy waits to see if it can truly sail again.
