Johnny Depp is set to return to Pirates of the Caribbean as Jack Sparrow, according to reports.
The 59-year-old star, who made his debut as Sparrow in 2003, is rumoured to be reprising his role in the franchise five years on from his last film. The Edward Scissorhands actor was sacked from the series in 2018 after Disney bosses said they wanted to bring "new energy" to the franchise, reports the Mirror.
It was reported earlier this year that bosses were keen to bring Depp, 59, back for a sixth movie and a spin-off series to air on Disney+ in an eye-watering $300million deal. Disney reportedly expressed interest in bringing Depp back after he won his defamation suit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, 36, in June.
It is reported that Depp is due to have a test shoot in the UK in February according to a new call sheet from production. The working title of the film is said to be A Day At The Sea.
A source told The Sun : "Johnny is set to return as Captain Jack Sparrow and is scheduled to start filming at the beginning of February at a top secret location in the UK. Everything is in the early stages and there is still no director attached to the project, which is being called 'A Day At The Sea'."
Bruce Hendricks, who worked on the first three films, has been named as an executive producer on the new project, however other details have been kept "under lock and key". They added: "The whole project is shrouded in secrecy and Disney want to keep everything under wraps as best they can.”
It comes after Depp said during his defamation trial he wouldn't be open to returning to the franchise in the future. A source however claimed Disney wanted the actor to reprise his iconic role in not just the sixth film, but also a spin-off series exploring the character's backstory.
The insider told Poptopic the company are keen to get Depp back for the sixth film as well as the spin-off series - with it claimed they're offering him around £244 million.
They told the outlet in June: "Disney are very interested in patching up their relationship with [Depp]."
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