Disney is hoping to sign up Johnny Depp to star in the sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film and a Disney Plus spin-off series in a $300 million deal, according to reports. Bosses are said to want the actor, 59, to reprise his role as the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow after he won his legal battle against his ex-wife Amber Heard, 36, earlier this month, according to Mirroronline.
It was reported that Johnny was dropped from the franchise in 2018, and he said during the recent defamation trial he wouldn't be open to returning in the future. But a source has claimed Disney want the actor in his iconic role not just for the sixth film, but also a spin-off series exploring the character's backstory.
The insider told Poptopic the company is offering him around £244 million. They told the outlet earlier this month: "Disney is very interested in patching up their relationship with [Depp]."
Read more: Sam Fender's Glastonbury tribute to home noticed by viewers back in Newcastle
The source said the company reached out to Depp prior to his defamation trial and they claimed Disney had asked if he would be interested in returning for another film, with him reportedly sent a gift basket and a "heartfelt letter" at some point by them. The source said: "The studio has already penned up a draft for a film about Jack Sparrow - so they are very hopeful that Johnny will forgive them and return as [his character]." The source claimed the deal would include a sizeable donation to a charity of Depp's choice.
Depp was reportedly dropped from the sixth film around the time that his ex-wife Heard wrote her now-infamous Washington Post opinion piece about domestic abuse. The actor sued Heard for $50 million after she wrote the article in 2018, in which she called herself a "public figure representing domestic abuse." Heard countersued Depp for $100 million.
Although she didn't name him in the article, Depp's lawyers claimed that Heard had falsely implied he had abused her during their marriage. It was claimed the article had affected his career, further alleging he had been due to earn $22 million from the sixth Pirates of the Caribbean, before being dropped.
Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages in his defamation suit. The judge also awarded Heard $2 million in compensatory damages.
During his trial, Johnny was asked if he would ever return to the franchise. Amber's lawyer Benn Rottenborn asked the actor: "The fact is, Mr. Depp, if Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film? Correct?" To which, Johnny replied: "That is true, Mr Rottenborn."
The Mirror approached representatives for Disney and Johnny Depp for comment.
The Hollywood star was eating fish and chips on the Quayside with North Shields singer Sam Fender on the same night the verdict of his defamation case came. The pair were also spotted inside The Bridge Tavern in Newcastle the following night. Depp was in the region to perform at Jeff Beck's show at the Sage Gateshead. The Hollywood star is a close friend of Jeff Beck and made a guest appearance alongside him in each show on his UK tour.
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