Orlando Bloom has voiced support for Johnny Depp’s potential return to the Pirates of the Caribbean series, suggesting that bringing back the original cast could be the key to reviving the franchise.
Speaking at Fan Expo Chicago, Bloom said he would “personally love to see everybody back” and that the best path forward would be to reunite the familiar lineup, provided all parties were on board. The actor, who co-starred with Depp as Will Turner opposite Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow in several installments, stressed the importance of consent from the whole ensemble if a new Pirates film were to move ahead with the original cast.
The Pirates of the Caribbean films have featured Depp, Bloom and Keira Knightley, though Knightley sat out the 2011 installment. Rumors last year centered on a Margot Robbie-led spin-off with a female-centric take on the world, but the project was shelved, prompting talk that the franchise might continue with its established stars instead.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has publicly floated the idea of Depp reprising Jack Sparrow, saying he had spoken with the actor and that if the writing suited him, Depp might return. A Depp comeback would mark a dramatic turn after the star’s high-profile public and professional challenges over the past few years.
The controversy surrounding Depp traces back to his 2015 marriage to Amber Heard, which ended amid allegations of abuse. Heard’s claims, which Depp denied, led to intense media scrutiny and industry fallout, including his removal from certain projects. Depp ultimately won a defamation suit in 2022 over a 2018 Heard article, with damages initially set at $15 million before adjustments; Heard prevailed on a counterclaim for $2 million.
Beyond the courtroom, Depp has continued to maintain a visible career arc. He appeared at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 to promote Jeanne du Barry, the French-language historical drama, and has been photographed with longer, grey hair during filming for Day Drinker, a project that features him alongside Penelope Cruz in a narrative about a mysterious guest on a private yacht entangled with criminals. The film is directed by Marc Webb, known for works including 500 Days of Summer and The Amazing Spider-Man, with the project described in early reports as a thriller of high-seas intrigue. Depp has also been linked to Modi, a project about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani, which has drawn mixed critical reactions.
Overall, Bloom’s endorsement signals a renewed appetite among some fans and industry figures to see the Pirates saga reunited with its original cast—an approach that could re-energize a global franchise if a compelling creative plan and the broader audience support align.
Summary: The Pirates of the Caribbean conversation is pivoting back toward the ensemble approach, with Orlando Bloom expressing a desire to see a full return of the core cast, including Johnny Depp, should creative and contractual terms align. The idea comes amid ongoing discussions, past controversy, and renewed interest in how the franchise might continue after Margot Robbie’s spin-off was shelved. If Depp returns, it would mark a notable shift in the industry’s handling of his public and professional trajectory, while offering fans a potentially fresh yet familiar chapter in a beloved series. Positive spin: a successful reassembly could deliver a blockbuster experience that honors the franchise’s legacy and pleases longtime supporters.