Disney's popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is confirmed for a cinematic reboot without star Johnny Depp returning to his fan-favorite role of Captain Jack Sparrow.
In a year-end interview, Disney Chief of Film Production Sean Bailey confirmed that Deadpool screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are currently working on a reboot of the supernatural, swashbuckling franchise without Depp returning to the role that first launched the franchise in 2003.
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"We want to bring in a new energy and vitality," Bailey explained to The Hollywood Reporter. "I love the movies, but part of the reason Paul and Rhett are so interesting is that we want to give it a kick in the pants. And that's what I've tasked them with."
Reports of Depp leaving the iconic role that earned him an Academy Award nomination first arose this past October. The departure was rumored as a way for the studio to both start completely fresh as well as potentially distance itself from the actor following allegations of domestic abuse from ex-spouse Amber Heard.
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Depp has starred as Captain Jack Sparrow in five films, including The Curse of the Black Pearl, 2006's Dead Man's Chest, 2007's At World's End, 2011's On Stranger Tides and 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales. The five films have earned over $4.5 billion at the worldwide box office and launched an entire wave of tie-in merchandising.
There is currently no announced release date or director for Disney's planned Pirates of the Caribbean reboot.