Pirates 4 To Be The Last For Johnny Depp? [Updated]
Sep 28, 2009 by Ross MillerWe recently reported on the news that Disney Chairman Dick Cook had stepped down from his position at the company after many years, with the …
We recently reported on the news that Disney Chairman Dick Cook had stepped down from his position at the company after many years, with the rumors for his departure ranging from voluntary to forced out by Disney CEO Bob Iger, who may have been unhappy with Cook’s (and the company’s) box office performance as of late. Whatever the reason, Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp has expressed his dissatisfaction and disappointment at the news, with it putting a damper on his enthusiasm for Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides.
Depp’s starring in Pirates 4 was brought into question, which led to further questions asking if there will even BE a Pirates 4 if Depp isn’t in it. Well, recently word (that, for some reason, flew under our radar around these parts) has been floating around by way of an exclusive tip over at Cinemablend that even if Depp DOES come back for a fourth Pirates movie, it’ll be his last, meaning he won’t stick around for Pirates 5 or 6.
UPDATE: Apparently Disney has promised that Depp will be back for the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Head here for details.
There’s been rumors going around that Pirates 4 is being planned to kick off a new trilogy, which probably means they have some sort of plan for what they want to do with 5 and 6. And I bet you those plans (even if they’re only plans, or even ideas at the moment) included Depp as Captain Jack. They’re probably already in the midst of drawing up a hefty check to pay Depp’s fee for doing Pirates 4, but beyond that, going by Cinemablend‘s tip, they’ll have to pay him even MORE if he’s to do more installments after that.
So let’s just imagine for a minute that Pirates 4 is Depp’s last time playing Captain Jack Sparrow – what would that mean for the character and the franchise? I think if Depp turned his sights elsewhere (and let’s face it, he’ll get work no matter what), Disney would have a serious problem on their hands. Would they recast Captain Jack? I don’t think fans of the series would have any of that, as I think you’ll agree the essence of the character is brought to the table by Depp. Will they not include Captain Jack and bring in a new character that’ll hopefully capture the hearts of the Pirates franchise’s avid fans (something Cinemablend‘s tip hints at)? I really don’t think the fans would have any of THAT, either.
What would Pirates of the Caribbean be without Johnny Depp?
Looking at the extreme case scenario – will there even BE a Pirates 5 and 6 if Depp isn’t in the picture? I think Disney would have a go at trying to make it work, and I think people would still end up seeing them because, hey, it’s Pirates of the Caribbean, one of the biggest (read: most profitable) film franchises around. Having said that, Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow is the absolute draw of the franchise, and it would be SORELY lacking without him. To be honest, I wouldn’t care one iota about a Pirates of the Caribbean if he wasn’t in it. I’m sorry, but he’s about the only thing that kept me interested throughout the messes that were Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End. Unless the On Stranger Tides rumored director, Rob Marshall, stays on for 5 and 6 and turns them into the Citizen Kanes of pirate movies, I won’t be interested when the time comes.
What’s your opinion on Depp’s uncertain Pirates of the Caribbean future? Do you think he’ll come back for Pirates 4 and then 5 and 6 after that? If he didn’t, what do you think Disney would do with the character and the franchise?
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is supposed to start filming next Spring, and has a general release date of Summer 2011.
Source: Cinemablend
Around the web:
Loading ...
Russell Brand DOES have that bad boy pirate thing happening. That is a good choice!
I think that could work!
If J-Dawg’s not gonna be in it, there’s no point in making it. Just leave it as a trilogy. $th movies normally aren’t great anyway.
Ok wow. lol. I meant “4th”. not $th
Foopher, he is going to be in the 4th movie, but not in a 5th and 6th movie,because they are not happening with out JD!.
I would not be interested if Johnny Depp was gone. He is the best part of the series!
johnny make a old lady happy be in all the movies please
it will be the last for me as well.
Mr. Depp is great in those movies. They could never replace him with someone else because the moment the audience watches the first 3 at home, they’ll realize the new guy isn’t actually Johnny Depp. There’s really only one person I could see taking over this trilogy and that is Shia LaBeouf. He could maybe play Johnny Depp’s character’s son or something like that. OR he could play a younger version of Johnny Depp, so Jack Sparrow would be in his early 20′s instead of his early 30′s.
Well… even if JD doesn’t come back,
Option 1:
Use his ‘bumbling brother’ (Could even be another ‘Jack’ from the same family.) played by Russell Brand. (“Captain Jack Sparrow JR!” That might even work!)
Option 2:
Barbosa!
There’s plenty of Pirate Stories out there Mate…
~ Stark
The answer to all things Disney: It’s all about the money.
No Depp, no audience,
No audience, no money.
Besides, they’re sitting on a freshly found goldmine. Marvel.
i LOVE JOHNNY!!!!!!!!! BUT ILL BE HAPPIER IF ORLANDO BLOOM COMES BACK WITH AN OLDER SON THE THREE OF THEM COULD CREATE AN INTERESTING PLOT
Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films are most likely going to prevent Johnny Depp from being replaced in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, because if this does turn out to be his last Pirates of the Caribbean movie, then this will be his last chance to bring back this movie franchise back down to its original core and essense that it had way back in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, that movie was best one, because it was the original pirates of the caribbean movie, that was originally suppost to be a “stand alone movie!”.
What would “Pirates” be without Depp? Well the last 2 films were chaotic at best. I’m glad he’s moving on from the mess POC has turned into…
At this point Depp doesn’t need the money anyway I’m sure he’s looking toward selecting roles that fit his lifestyle, more now then ever,,,
The first “Pirates of the Caribbean” was great! The sequels are a waste of time. (IMO)
Well 790, at least walt disney pictures company and jerry bruckheimer films company are going to still release it, and johnny depp will still be in it, and at least the fourth movie will be as good as the first movie, because, the the writers ted elliott and terry rossio are going to lighten up the story alot to make feel more orginal as like the first movie was, when it was first released!. That way, it’ll be just as good as the first movie!, which is a good thing for the fans of this movie franchise!.
Well I hope your right Sean,,,
I would love a good Pirates film.
Yes, I also would love to see a very well done potc movie with a great story in it. I feel confindent that the fourth movie will be good, because they are intentionally going to go for a fresh new story in the fourth movie, but it will be a continuation to the story of the third movie as well, at the same time!. Thats because of the whole “fountain of youth” part of it!, which sounds to be like a good part for the story to me for a pirates movie!. The ending of the third movie gave me the clue to what the fourth movie is going to be about, way before the movie websites all over the internet caught up with that!. Because, people saw it before they started to talk about it all over movie websites, and then after they saw it, then after that is now, where rumors and possible true facts are being said about the fourth movie as we speak on the internet!. Pretty interesting isn’t it?!. I definately think so!.
No Depp no way I will go see the movies if they are made. Disney is a mess. They gave up Lords of the Rings and look at what they lost. They give up Depp their stock should drop to 2 cents a share. That’s my 2 cents worth.
Tomas, i totally agree with you there with what you said!. Disney needs to have a meeting with bruckheimer and johnny depp, and they all need to make sure that they are going to make the movie with johnny depp in it, and if not, then don’t make the movie at all !. But i would say they do need to make the movie, and especially with johnny depp in it or there will be alot of disappointed and p-o’d fans out there, including myself!, if they don’t go throgh with making the movie, and having johnny depp in it as captain jack sparrow!
I think that he’ll come back if they pay him enough for it, but if he doesn’t and they try to go for it anyway, they’ll just end up killing off his character in some stupid way. But I doubt I’ll see it if they take him out, or at least I won’t pay to see it. He makes the movies, there would be no POTC craze without him, and I think they owe him a lot for it.
Depending on how Pirates 4 turns out I think that the best possible thing they could do with 5 and 6 should Depp not return would be to have Geoffrey Rush step in and take the lead down a different path with Captain Barbossa as the primary character.
(sorry for the second post) . . . That would allow Disney to take the franchise in a completely different direction, setting up a new trilogy perhaps as they were planning on. Personally speaking, while Depp definitely is the main draw for the franchise, Rush as Barbossa was by far the closest thing to second place and wouldn’t be too disappointed to see more of him in a lead role.
That all being said, it definitely would still be a tragedy for the franchise if Depp doesn’t return, I’m sure we can all agree on that.
I think that Depp has to stay away from both Disney and Tim Burton for a while and start doing that “acting” thing I’ve heard he’s good at… the man needs a challenge.
Amen @DarthMalnu! I was hesitant to say that myself to avoid getting the smack down over here.
Tim Burton stuff is getting pretty tiresome. Its time to seperate the twins.
I think there is something else that people are not taking into consideration. Johnny adores children. He often visits children’s hospitals as Jack and they are thrilled. I think that this would mean a lot more to him in making any decision to carry on with the movie or/and the franchise. Also, I have never see him put a paycheck before his integrity. So, I doubt Disney could buy him. He would have better reason than money to do it. I say his fans love of the character and the way children feel will keep him in.
I didn’t have a problem with the first two Pirates films, but the third one was a mess. It was one of the worst “movies” I have ever seen, and people I know like to say “Well it wasn’t THAT bad”, but it was. People don’t like to admit it because they love Johnny Depp and they love the Pirates movies, but anyone who saw the third film can tell you it was terrible. I don’t blame that on Depp at all though! I blame it on Orlando Bloom, the director, and the storyline. I would see Pirates 4 if Depp was in it, but they shouldn’t do any other Pirates movies without him. He’s the best thing about every Pirates film, and he doesn’t even need Disney or Pirates anymore. He’s the best actor in the business, and if he can’t get another acting job (which I highly doubt) he still has his buddy Tim Burton who’ll put him in any movie he wants so Depp is fine with or without Disney and Pirates!
@Lu-
Lu, I absolutely agree with there!. I also think that just for all kids out there, johnny depp will decide to continue with the captain jack sparrow character in pirates of the caribbean 5 and pirates of the caribbean 6, so that no young fans of this disney movie franchise will be disappointed to no longer see him in a pirates of the caribbean movie!. He has visited childrens hospitals before dressed up as captain jack sparrow, and i’m sure that most or all the kids there, have asked him several times if he is going to come back as captain jack sparrow in a “pirates of the caribbean 4″, so that right there, is probably pretty much a “ding ding ding” (bell noise) going on in his mind to think “o.k. yes i am coming back in a pirates of the caribbean 4 as captain jack sparrow for all kids”, because they love that pirates character so much that plays in the pirates of the caribbean movies!.
You know, I totally agree… I think that Johnny Depp absolutely—
Wait- did that say CHILDREN?? oops.
I read it as “Johnny Depp adores MILLIONS”
…….of dollars.
..$$$.
I think that pirates would not be the same with Johnny! I wouldnt go and see it!
@Darth Malnu -
No, you mis-understood me!, what i said was, he’ll do the fourth movie for all the kids out there who would want to see another pirates of the caribbean movie, with johnny depp in it as captain jack sparrow!.
@Danii-
The fourth movie will have johnny depp in it as captain jack sparrow, but there is a high possibility that there wont even be a pirates 5 and 6 anyways!.