Rumor Control
A recent absurd rumor has been circulating on the internet, taking advantage of the immense fan support for Johnny Depp in the aftermath of his highly publicized trial with Amber Heard. According to this rumor, Depp is supposedly making a comeback to his iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, with a jaw-dropping paycheck of $301 million. Additionally, the rumor suggests the development of a Disney Plus series delving into the early years of Jack Sparrow, despite Depp being 59 years old.
The Truth Behind the Rumor
As amusing as it may sound to witness an older Depp portraying a younger version of a character he has seemingly lost interest in, the rumor holds no truth.
Let’s put things into perspective. The reported sum of $301 million is an astronomical figure, equivalent to the entire budget of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” a film known for its grand scale and impressive CGI, particularly in bringing Davy Jones to life.
Before his departure from the franchise, Depp was set to earn $22.5 million for his sixth appearance as Jack Sparrow. During the peak of his popularity, he received an astonishing $50 million for the third film, “At World’s End.” In fact, even Depp himself acknowledged the excessiveness of his compensation in a 2011 interview with Vanity Fair, stating, “Basically, if they’re going to pay me the stupid money right now, I’m going to take it.”
Hence, it is preposterous to imagine Disney offering such an exorbitant amount to any actor, especially considering the challenges Depp has posed on set. Furthermore, casting Depp in a high-profile role would inevitably be seen as a politically charged decision due to the highly divisive trial between him and Amber Heard. It is reasonable to assume that Disney would prefer to steer clear of further entanglements in unnecessary cultural controversies, making the speculated return of Captain Jack Sparrow highly unlikely.
Interestingly, the figure of $301 million appears to be a direct reference to a memorable moment from the trial. During the proceedings, Heard’s attorney asked Depp, “The fact is, Mr. Depp, if Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film? Correct?”
To which Depp simply responded, “That is true, Mr. Rottenborn.”
Given the abundance of misinformation surrounding the trial, it comes as no surprise that rumors regarding Depp’s future career have started to circulate. Depp has garnered an ardent following who are adamant about seeking “justice” for him, which, in their eyes, entails his return to the role that established him as an icon.
However, considering the current state of affairs in the world, the revival of Captain Jack Sparrow on the big screen is hardly a matter of utmost importance.
In response to the rumor, a representative for Depp issued a statement to NBC News categorically denying its validity, stating, “This is made up.”