There's only one way for the Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow, a reckless but extremely charismatic pirate.

Depp has returned for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 has been confirmed to be in development, but it is still unclear whether the film will be a reboot or a continuation of the series. If Depp doesn't return for the next entry, then it makes the most sense for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 to be a reboot.

Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Should Be A Reboot With New Characters If Jack Sparrow Isn’t In It

A Fresh Start Could Be What The Pirates Of The Caribbean Franchise Needs

While not many details are known about Pirates of the Caribbean 6, producer Jerry Bruckheimer has revealed that two versions of the script are being worked on. Reportedly, one of the scripts for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 allows for Depp's return as Jack Sparrow. However, Bruckheimer has also mentioned that the sixth movie in the franchise will be a reboot. Therefore, it seems most likely that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 will be a more traditional sequel if Depp does return, but a complete reboot if he doesn't.

The fact that two scripts are being written for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is slightly concerning, as the producers are giving themselves multiple options instead of showing that they have a clear vision for the future of the series. However, it would be hard to up including Depp in another Pirates of the Caribbean movie if the stars align. If Depp decides not to return, though, or if the producers decide to pursue the version without him, then it would be a lot wiser for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to be rebooted.

Bringing Back Other Iconic Pirates Of The Caribbean Characters Without Jack Sparrow Would Be Risky

Jack Sparrow Has Always Been The Main Character In The Pirates Of The Caribbean Series

Developing the sixth entry as a sequel to the other Pirates of the Caribbean movies but not including Depp's Jack Sparrow would be a recipe for disaster. There are definitely other iconic characters in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, such as Orlando Bloom's Will Turner and Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Swann. However, Jack Sparrow is without a doubt the face of the franchise, and there would be no point in including other characters if he doesn't appear.

The ending of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales teased that Will and Elizabeth would return in the sixth movie. Seeing Will and Elizabeth on an adventure again would be nostalgic, but it wouldn't feel the same without Jack Sparrow. Other than Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann, Geoffrey Rush's Hector Barbosa is another major Pirates of the Caribbean character. Barbosa has appeared in all five Pirates of the Caribbean films, but is not popular enough to justify a future appearance if Depp doesn't return as well.

Why Pirates Of The Caribbean Doesn’t Need Jack Sparrow To Work

Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Can Be A Success Without Johnny Depp

It has long been suggested that a Pirates of the Caribbean movie would not work without Jack Sparrow. It is undeniable that Depp is a very talented performer who has brought a lot of charm to the role of Jack Sparrow, but he is definitely not the only actor who could lead a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Any future Pirates of the Caribbean lead will certainly be heavily compared to Depp, but it would be a mistake for the actor to try to copy Depp's performance.

If Depp doesn't return, it doesn't mean that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 will be a disaster.

Instead, future actors in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise should try to make their characters their own, and not worry about copying the success that Depp found. Even if it is the case that there will never be a better Pirates of the Caribbean character than Jack Sparrow, this doesn't mean that there can't be other great characters. If Depp doesn't return, it doesn't mean that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 will be a disaster. The sixth movie can still be an extremely entertaining adventure movie if it's well-made and has an entertaining ensemble cast.

What Will Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Actually Look Like?

Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Could Be A Sequel Or A Reboot

The process of developing Pirates of the Caribbean 6 has been very slow, but the movie will definitely be made eventually. It is currently unclear what direction the producers will take with Pirates of the Caribbean 6. While Bruckheimer has teased that Depp could return, he has also stated that they're "gonna reboot Pirates, so that is easier to put together because you don't have to wait for certain actors." Conflicting reports about the direction of the sixth movie seem to confirm that the producers are simply keeping their options open and waiting to see how things unfold.

Therefore, it's possible that Pirates of the Caribbean 6 will be a sequel, a soft reboot, or a full reboot. The movie being a sequel would likely mean that Depp is reprising his iconic role. A soft reboot would probably mean that the movie will be connected to the previous Pirates of the Caribbean films, but not include any of the characters in prominent roles. Meanwhile, a full reboot means that absolutely no characters from the series' other movies will be returning. Currently, it is anyone's guess what the future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise will look like.