With Depp’s personal life being under scrutiny in the public eye for the last few years and a run of underwhelming movie releases, Disney appears prepared to take a different approach. Even with Depp’s iconic performance and the backing of his fans, the ship—Pirates of the Caribbean 6—might have to sail without him.
Given that Depp may be leaving his role, Disney’s treasure map suggests new actors for the part. The hunt is on for actors, from lesser-known ones who can surprise us all to A-list celebritries who could put a fresh spin on the swashbuckling pirate. So, who can be the next to command the Black Pearl and don the tricorn hat drenched in rum? Read our take!
1. Matthew McConaughey
The Gentleman star Matthew McConaughey was already favored the role in the early ‘00s. His appreciation for the character’s original inspiration, Burt Lancaster, makes him quite an enticing choice to play the daring pirate. Although it did not work out the first time around, McConaughey’s career took off.
Over the years, the actor made a successful transition from romantic comedies to highly intense roles. However, despite Interstellar’s critical acclaim, films such as Serenity and The Dark Tower didn’t exactly set the stage for box office success. In recent years, McConaughey has restricted himself to selected projects. He is set to appear next in Andrew Patterson’s The Rivals of Amziah King and Paul Greengrass’ The Lost Bus.
Matthew McConaughey is still a strong contender because of his celebrity stature and his almost-missed experience as Jack Sparrow. Beyond just box office numbers, Disney may find it worthwhile to investigate the charm of McConaughey’s personality and his potential for a new take on the legendary part.
2. Mads Mikkelsen
Mads Mikkelsen stands as the second choice. Mikkelsen has the talent, as seen by his success in big-budget movies like Fantastic Beasts and a penchant for oddball independent roles such as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The actor has illustrated his familiarity with taking on legit classic roles when he took on the role of Grindelwald, following in the footsteps of Johnny Depp.
Mikkelsen gave the Fantastic Beasts franchise more nuance, but it didn’t exactly change the course of its box-office success. Pirates of the Caribbean became a hit thanks in large part to Depp’s distinct personality and enthusiasm. But Mikkelsen is a charmer, and he could definitely take up the iconic Jack Sparrow’s character forward whenever the next film happens. He’s got a wide range of acting abilities and he could be a great fit.
As part of his most recent works, the actor lent his voice to Mufasa: The Lion King as Kiros in 2024. He is set to appear in Bryan Fuller’s Dust Bunny and other films like The Last Viking and North.
3. Joaquin Phoenix
Although casting Joaquin Phoenix in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 might sound surprising, let’s face it: the actor truly has a wide range of emotions. He’s demonstrated his ability to provide both box office hits and intense, unorthodox performances with his critically lauded role in Joker. His Oscar win and box office success echo the acclaim Johnny Depp once enjoyed.
Although Joker: Folie à Deux failed to impress critics or viewers, Phoenix’s performance still deserves a special mention. But here’s the curveball—Phoenix’s track record shows he’s not exactly into light-hearted franchise fare. Unlike Depp, who used Pirates to elevate his profile, Phoenix may not need that extra boost.
But again, his ability to portray a wide range of emotions is sure to work in his favor. Following the Joker sequel, Phoenix appeared in Ari Aster’s Eddington, which released on July 18, 2025. While the audience love and applaud Phoenix for his darker roles, seeing him on-screen as the Pirate would be like a match made in heaven. We’re here for it!
Can Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow Ever Be Replaced?
Folks, the real Captain Jack Sparrow shall never be replaced. Even with Disney’s recent efforts to revitalize the franchise’s engagement, replacing Johnny Depp’s charm as Jack Sparrow is a difficult task. But actors like Matthew McConaughey, Made Mikkelsen, and Joaquin Phoenix could definitely serve up some good performances.
Johnny Depp’s action/adventure flick Dead Men Tell No Tales managed to pull in $794M worldwide (per Box Office Mojo), even though it was the least successful entry. This hefty sum proves that the old sea dog still has some life left in him. Disney is keen to keep the brand afloat, and the above mentioned stars could replace Depp’s irreplaceable presence that looms large.
Rumors about Johnny Depp’s return swirled, but don’t expect a comeback. In response to all these rumors, Depp alluded he wouldn’t return “even for $300M and a million alpacas.” Disney must now decide whether to give Jack Sparrow a new look or steer Pirates of the Caribbean in a different direction without him.
Johnny Depp’s Most Recent Works
Following his lengthy courtroom battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp mostly remained away from the limelight. In 2023 he appeared in the film Jeanne du Berry playing Louis XV. He then served as a director and producer of Modi, Three Days of the Wing of Madness, a biography of Amedeo Modigliani. The actor is reportedly filming Marc Webb’s Day Drinker, an action thriller film, alongside Penelope Cruz and Madelyn Cline.
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