Johnny Depp has reportedly been dropped from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise in the face of a major shake up at Disney.
Depp has been the lead role in the hit film franchise over the last 15 years, but it seems Captain Jack has had his last outing on the Black Pearl.
This is according to Stuart Beattie, who confirmed the A-List star has been ditched as the franchise looks forward to a reimagining.
He said to Daily Mail TV:
I think he’s had a great run. Obviously he’s made that character his own and it’s become the character he’s most famous for now.
And kids all over the world love him as that character so I think it’s been great for him, it’s been great for us, so I’m just very, very happy about it.
I think Jack Sparrow will be his legacy. It’s the only character he’s played five times, it’s the character he dresses up in to visit children in hospitals, it’s what he’ll be remembered for.
He added:
Before Jack Sparrow came along, [Depp] was considered this kind of quirky, independent actor that made these really cool little Tim Burton films, but he was by no means a movie star and a lot of people thought we were crazy for casting him at the time.
Because he wasn’t a proven commodity; you know, a big movie star. And we were making a big movie and we were putting this quirky, independent actor in the middle of it and people thought we were crazy. The fact that it worked is a miracle.
They were certainly nervous watching the rushes everyday but when it all came together, something just clicked and it was magic and connected with audiences. I’m proud to be a part of it.
It was recently reported Disney were looking at Deadpool writers to continue on the Pirates franchise.
According to Deadline, the studio is in ‘early talks’ with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick about the writing of the script.
Reese and Wernick have collaborated on many impressive projects before, including Zombieland, G.I. Joe: Retaliation and, of course, Deadpool and Deadpool 2.
And if it’s anything like the critically acclaimed spoof of all things superhero, I think I’m safe in saying we’re in for a treat.
It may be the end of an era, but it could be a wonderful thing for Pirates, and with Depp involved in Fantastic Beasts, at least he has another franchise to sink his teeth into.
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