It’s been a long wait on the high seas, but it looks like Disney is finally charting a course for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. After years of uncertainty, franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that some returning cast members will be part of the upcoming film — though he’s keeping their identities under wraps for now.
The Franchise Has Been Adrift Since 2017
Following the lukewarm reception of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017, the future of the swashbuckling saga became murky. Add to that the very public legal battles involving Johnny Depp, the franchise’s iconic Captain Jack Sparrow, and Disney’s decision to distance itself from the actor — and the series found itself stuck in development limbo.
However, recent developments suggest Disney is ready to sail again, with plans to both reboot the series and reintroduce some beloved characters from earlier films.
A New Take, But Not a Whole New Crew
In an interview, Bruckheimer offered a promising update, revealing that the upcoming film will feature “a new take” on the Pirates universe. While it won’t be a direct continuation of Dead Men Tell No Tales, it also won’t be a complete reboot. He clarified that “not all new actors” would be involved, teasing that “some” of the original cast would return.
“I’m not going to tell you which ones — you’ll have to guess,” Bruckheimer said, fueling fan speculation.
Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann Could Set Sail Again
Orlando Bloom, who played blacksmith-turned-pirate Will Turner, recently addressed his potential return during an appearance on This Morning. While he didn’t confirm anything, he seemed enthusiastic about the idea.
“I personally think it’d be great to get the band back together,” Bloom shared. “But there are always different ideas, so we’ll see where it lands.”
Bloom and Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Swann) both made brief cameos in Dead Men Tell No Tales’ post-credits scene, hinting at a continuation of their story. However, with the script for the sixth film still in development, it’s uncertain whether their characters will play a significant role or not.
The Question of Jack Sparrow
Johnny Depp’s future as Captain Jack Sparrow remains the biggest mystery surrounding the sequel. After being dropped by Disney during his legal battles with Amber Heard, Depp publicly stated he had no interest in returning to the role. However, after winning his defamation case and slowly re-entering the film industry, rumors of a possible return began to surface.
Though Bruckheimer has expressed interest in bringing Depp back, there’s no official confirmation yet. The producer’s decision to feature Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, and Captain Barbossa in last year’s Fortnite crossover suggests Disney still values those legacy characters — perhaps as a way to gauge audience interest.
Legacy Characters and New Blood
The Pirates universe has always thrived thanks to its rich ensemble. In addition to the core trio, characters like Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Joshamee Gibbs (Kevin McNally), Calypso (Naomie Harris), Pintel (Lee Arenberg), and Ragetti (Mackenzie Crook) helped flesh out the world.
Dead Men Tell No Tales also introduced new characters with potential for future arcs, such as Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites) and Carina Barbossa (Kaya Scodelario). Whether they’ll return remains uncertain, especially since Bruckheimer indicated the sixth film would not directly follow the storyline from the fifth movie.
Still Early in Development
At this stage, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is still in early development. The script is reportedly in the works, and no official casting announcements or release date have been shared. Disney appears to be taking its time crafting a new direction while maintaining ties to the beloved past.
What’s clear is that this won’t be a complete overhaul. The film will continue to exist in the same world fans have come to love — just with a fresh narrative and potentially a new lead to guide the ship.
Will the Franchise Weather the Storm?
While the idea of a soft reboot mixed with returning characters has intrigued fans, it also brings pressure. Dead Men Tell No Tales set up unresolved threads — and not addressing them might disappoint long-time viewers if the new story doesn’t hold its own.
Still, the return of familiar faces, even if in smaller roles, could offer a sense of continuity. Whether that includes Jack Sparrow or not remains the billion-dollar question.
Also Read: Jon Bernthal Joins Spider-Man: Brand New Day as the Punisher
