With Depp’s personal life being under scrutiny in the general public eye for the previous couple of years and a run of underwhelming movie releases, Disney appears prepared to take a distinct approach. Even with Depp’s iconic performance and the backing of his fans, the ship—Pirates of the Caribbean 6—may need to sail without him.
On condition that Depp could also be leaving his role, Disney’s treasure map suggests latest actors for the part. The hunt is on for actors, from lesser-known ones who can surprise us all to A-list celebritries who could put a fresh spin on the swashbuckling pirate. So, who may be the subsequent to command the Black Pearl and don the tricorn hat drenched in rum? Read our take!
1. Matthew McConaughey
The Gentleman star Matthew McConaughey was already favored the role within the early ‘00s. His appreciation for the character’s original inspiration, Burt Lancaster, makes him quite an attractive alternative to play the daring pirate. Even though it didn’t work out the primary time around, McConaughey’s profession took off.
Through the years, the actor made a successful transition from romantic comedies to highly intense roles. Nevertheless, despite Interstellar’s critical acclaim, movies similar to Serenity and The Dark Tower didn’t exactly set the stage for box office success. Lately, McConaughey has restricted himself to chose projects. He is about to look next in Andrew Patterson’s The Rivals of Amziah King and Paul Greengrass’ The Lost Bus.
Matthew McConaughey continues to be a powerful contender due to his celebrity stature and his almost-missed experience as Jack Sparrow. Beyond just box office numbers, Disney may find it worthwhile to analyze the charm of McConaughey’s personality and his potential for a brand new tackle the legendary part.
2. Mads Mikkelsen
Mads Mikkelsen stands because the second alternative. Mikkelsen has the talent, as seen by his success in big-budget movies like Unbelievable Beasts and a penchant for oddball independent roles similar to Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The actor has illustrated his familiarity with taking up legit classic roles when he took on the role of Grindelwald, following within the footsteps of Johnny Depp.
Mikkelsen gave the Unbelievable Beasts franchise more nuance, but it surely didn’t exactly change the course of its box-office success. Pirates of the Caribbean became a success thanks largely to Depp’s distinct personality and enthusiasm. But Mikkelsen is a charmer, and he could definitely take up the enduring Jack Sparrow’s character forward each time the subsequent film happens. He’s got a big selection of acting abilities and he might be an amazing fit.
As a part of his most up-to-date works, the actor lent his voice to Mufasa: The Lion King as Kiros in 2024. He is about to look in Bryan Fuller’s Dust Bunny and other movies like The Last Viking and North.
3. Joaquin Phoenix
Although casting Joaquin Phoenix in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 might sound surprising, let’s face it: the actor truly has a big selection of emotions. He’s demonstrated his ability to supply each box office hits and intense, unorthodox performances together with his critically lauded role in Joker. His Oscar win and box office success echo the acclaim Johnny Depp once enjoyed.
Although Joker: Folie à Deux did not impress critics or viewers, Phoenix’s performance still deserves a special mention. But here’s the curveball—Phoenix’s track record shows he’s not exactly into light-hearted franchise fare. Unlike Depp, who used Pirates to raise his profile, Phoenix may not need that extra boost.
But again, his ability to portray a big selection of emotions is bound to work in his favor. Following the Joker sequel, Phoenix appeared in Ari Aster’s Eddington, which released on July 18, 2025. While the audience love and applaud Phoenix for his darker roles, seeing him on-screen because the Pirate could be like a match made in heaven. We’re here for it!
Can Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow Ever Be Replaced?
Folks, the true Captain Jack Sparrow shall never get replaced. Even with Disney’s recent efforts to revitalize the franchise’s engagement, replacing Johnny Depp’s charm as Jack Sparrow is a difficult task. But actors like Matthew McConaughey, Made Mikkelsen, and Joaquin Phoenix could definitely serve up some good performances.
Johnny Depp’s motion/adventure flick Dead Men Tell No Tales managed to tug in $794M worldwide (per Box Office Mojo), despite the fact that it was the least successful entry. This hefty sum proves that the old sea dog still has some life left in him. Disney is keen to maintain the brand afloat, and the above mentioned stars could replace Depp’s irreplaceable presence that looms large.
Rumors about Johnny Depp’s return swirled, but don’t expect a comeback. In response to all these rumors, Depp alluded he wouldn’t return “even for $300M and one million alpacas.” Disney must now determine whether to present Jack Sparrow a brand new look or steer Pirates of the Caribbean in a distinct direction without him.
Johnny Depp’s Most Recent Works
Following his lengthy courtroom battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp mostly remained away from the limelight. In 2023 he appeared within the film Jeanne du Berry playing Louis XV. He then served as a director and producer of Modi, Three Days of the Wing of Madness, a biography of Amedeo Modigliani. The actor is reportedly filming Marc Webb’s Day Drinker, an motion thriller film, alongside Penelope Cruz and Madelyn Cline.
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