Photo Credit: Disney

The long-awaited Pirates of the Caribbean 6 remains in development at Disney, partly because of the uncertainty surrounding Johnny Depp and his involvement. If Depp returns, it will be another example of Disney relying on nostalgia when making franchise movies. That can be a problem.

Does Depp even want to return as Captain Jack Sparrow? While promoting Ebenezer, Depp mentioned that he would participate in Pirates 6 “if things are precisely where they need to be.” Depp views his involvement as a way to help the franchise end on a “better note.”

Depp’s comments neither confirm nor deny his potential return to the Pirates franchise. However, they do signal that the door remains open. Since Disney hasn’t made the movie yet, it’s clearly debating whether to bring Depp back in some capacity. Whether you agree with the decision or not, Disney’s reliance on nostalgia is concerning for the future of the franchise.

Johnny Depp’s potential comeback might not be Pirates 6’s biggest problem

The obvious reason for Disney’s concern with Depp’s involvement are the assault allegations he faced, most notably from Amber Heard. That alone might lead Disney to move on from Depp.

Is Depp even a star that matters in 2026? He certainly means something to Generation X and millennials, but it’s unclear if Generation Z or Generation Alpha have a relationship with his movies, considering he hasn’t had a major blockbuster this decade.

While it won’t be the be-all-and-end-all for Pirates 6, Disney is likely curious to see how Ebenezer performs at the box office. If audiences show up for Depp, it proves his name still carries weight and can make the Pirates 6 decision easier for Disney.

Besides Depp’s involvement, Disney still faces several issues with Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Much of this uncertainty stems from Disney’s fixation on rebooting old live-action franchises instead of creating new ones. In the past three years, Disney’s list of sequels to older franchises includes Tron: Ares, Haunted Mansion, The Devil Wears Prada 2, and Freakier Friday. The latter two worked, especially The Devil Wears Prada 2, which grossed $693 million worldwide. Tron: Ares and Haunted Mansion both bombed, damaging the theatrical prospects of those franchises.

Disney is also in a weird position with its live-action remakes. Lilo & Stitch became a billion-dollar hit, but Snow White and Moana failed miserably. Audiences have clearly rejected the idea that Disney can reboot almost any project and turn it into a live-action movie. The right project can bring audiences to theaters.

We’re no longer in the glory days when Disney could take any older property and have a high chance of success. The last Pirates movie, 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales, underperformed relative to expectations—$795 million worldwide against a budget between $230 and $320 million.

How will Pirates 6 change things for the franchise, even with Depp’s involvement? It’s time for Disney to find some new ways to reintroduce franchises to audiences that don’t rely completely on nostalgia.

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