As a cinephile who has witnessed the rise and fall of many iconic film franchises, I find myself torn between nostalgia and pragmatism when it comes to the potential return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
Disney is looking to revamp the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, but the question is whether to do so with or without Johnny Depp. Now, Variety reports that producer Jerry Bruckheimer is developing two Pirates of the Caribbean scripts. One of the scripts is without Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow, which is likely the much-discussed Margot Robbie-starring reboot that has been in contention since 2020. Another would be to bring back Jack Sparrow if Depp and Disney can make amends. “Nothing has been ruled out,” one knowledgeable source told the outlet.
It’s challenging to dispute that Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Jack Sparrow significantly contributed to the massive success of the Pirates of the Caribbean series at the box office. Prior to Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, pirate films were considered a flop at the box office, and the concept of a movie based on a theme park ride seemed like it would stifle creativity in Hollywood. However, Depp’s Jack Sparrow turned the film into one of the most successful movies of 2003, kick-starting a franchise that reigned supreme throughout the 2000s. Depp’s fame has dwindled in recent times, and following a lengthy legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard, it seemed as though there was no future for Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
In 2022, Johnny Depp openly expressed his discontent towards Disney during his court case with ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp alleged that Disney swiftly ended their relationship with him after Heard accused him of physical and emotional abuse. Moreover, he asserted that despite desiring to bid farewell to the character Jack Sparrow appropriately, he felt wounded and deceived by Disney, indicating no desire to collaborate with them in future projects. However, recent statements from Depp hint at a potential change of heart regarding working with Disney once more.
Is Johnny Depp Worth the Cost To Disney?
It might seem like Johnny Depp is essential for the Pirates of the Caribbean series, but in truth, his high salary demands pushed him out of the franchise. Reportedly, Depp’s agent negotiated a whopping $22.5 million for Depp to star in Pirates of the Caribbean 6. However, the films were no longer pulling in the massive box office numbers they once did in the 2000s. For instance, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales had a production budget of $230 million, and Depp was said to have earned $90 million for the film; it’s uncertain whether that amount was entirely salary or included bonuses as well.
As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must admit I was taken aback by the box office performance of that film, considering it cost a considerable sum yet only managed to rake in $172 million domestically. To put things into perspective, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, which was its predecessor, made an astounding $305 million, and even On Stranger Tides from 2011 outperformed it with a gross of $241 million. Despite its impressive global haul of $759 million, this film fell short in comparison to all other Pirates of the Caribbean films except Curse of the Black Pearl, and it was also eclipsed by other Disney franchises that year, such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Thor: Ragnarok, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
From a business perspective, it’s unsustainable for Johnny Depp to continue commanding high salaries given that his recent films have underperformed financially and faced criticism, even before his legal troubles. The public’s interest in Depp seems to have waned since the accusations against him, as evident by the lackluster performance of his movies at the box office. Therefore, if he were to rejoin the cast of Pirates of the Caribbean, it would be unrealistic for him to demand the same salary, and his involvement might even deter more viewers than it attracts.
During the 2000s, Disney found it essential to have Pirates of the Caribbean and Johnny Depp in their lineup, as they were striving for a massive, money-making franchise and spent close to a decade trying to replicate its triumph. However, now they boast Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which consistently earn more than the Pirates of the Caribbean films did on average. Although there’s a generation who still cherish Pirates of the Caribbean and Jack Sparrow portrayed by Johnny Depp, that doesn’t always guarantee blockbuster success at the box office.
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2024-12-05 16:02