Elvis star Austin Butler is reportedly set to replace Johnny Depp as the lead in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
Since 2003, Johnny Depp has portrayed the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow in the franchise, but following legal allegations and a fallout with Depp, Disney has expressed its intention to continue expanding the series without him.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales was Depp’s last appearance as Jack Sparrow, and many fans are reluctant to embrace a new film without the iconic character.
According to a report from The DisInsider, Dune: Part Two star Austin Butler is being considered to lead the new reboot. Currently, it is unclear whether Disney has officially made an offer or if negotiations for the role have begun. So this news must be taken with a grain of salt.
Disney has been developing two separate scripts for the sixth instalment—one involving Margot Robbie in a leading role and the other being a reboot.
In March 2024, producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that the sixth film would indeed be a reboot, making it easier to assemble without waiting for specific actors.
On the other hand, various reports surfaced about the future of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. Many longtime fans of the franchise may resist the idea of another movie without Depp, especially considering his controversial departure from the series.
Earlier, there were rumblings that Disney wanted Depp to return as Captain Jack Sparrow in a guest role while new actors took the lead in the next film.
However, the latest report hints that the next movie will be a complete reboot with no established characters including Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow appearing in the film.
The Austin Butler-led Pirates of the Caribbean movie has not been announced yet.
