Terry Rossio wants to bring back 'beloved' Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow because actor 'not the issue'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Should Johnny Depp decide to come back to a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movie, he would be welcomed by at least one executive associated with the original series. 

Screenwriter and producer of the sleek pirate franchise, Terry Rossio recently shared in an interview that despite the allegations of abuse and alcoholism against the 61-year-old star, he “wouldn’t even hesitate” to welcome Depp back on the set. 

Rossio told the Daily Mail that while Depp is “not the problem” for a POTC, everything else - including the right script, co-stars, and finances - is. 

Terry Rossio gushes over 'beloved' Johnny Depp

During the premiere of his latest film ‘Protocol 7’, Rossio gushed about ‘The Tourist’ actor saying, “Johnny is beloved. I wouldn't even hesitate on Johnny Depp.”

Depp previously told the jury during his libel trial against ex-wife Amber Heard that Disney axed him from the sixth installment of the swashbuckling franchise after the ‘Aquaman’ actress accused him of being a wifebeater in a 2018 op-ed.

Depp later launched a defamation trial against Heard and a Virginia jury declared in 2022 that Depp proved elements of defamation in Heard’s statements and that she defamed Depp with actual malice.

Even after he won the libel trial against his ex-wife in 2022, there have been no words of him coming back to the franchise. However, the Oscar-nominated screenplay writer is now firmly declaring that Depp is “not the issue” for the sixth installment. 

“Johnny Depp isn't the issue. The issue is: is there a story worthy? Is the script good? Can it be directed well? Can the finances of it be worked out? Those are the issues,” said Rossio, before reiterating, “The issue has nothing to do with Johnny.”

Rossio is not only attempting to bring back Depp but also wants the entire original cast from the first movie ‘Dead Man's Chest’ to reunite for the upcoming sequel, if any. 

Suggesting that Depp should reunite with the first film’s stars including Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, Rossio shared, “Clearly the best pirate film in my mind, my controversial opinion, would be to bring back everybody.”

He continued wistfully, “I would bring back Johnny. I would bring back Gore Verbinski. I would bring back Jeffrey Rush. I would bring back Orlando (Bloom), (Kevin) McNeely and Keira (Knightley),” the ‘Shrek’ screenwriter said. “That's the best pirate film. Why not? We had a blast the first time. Let's do it again. That's what I would do if it were me, why not? And that's what the fans want," he added. 

Nevertheless, when he was asked about the Disney bosses’ plans to revive the series, Rossio said, “Oh my gosh, I don't have any inside information. I'm sorry, I can't say.”

He, nevertheless, admitted that good sequels can even take decades to make owing to several factors. Rossio shared, “The Indiana Jones movie, for example, was like this,” before adding, “Everybody wanted it, but it took what, 15, 16 years for it to come about.”

“There are a lot of forces that come into play in terms of… schedule, availability, finances, creative control, the disposition of the studio, the planets have to align on any movie. It's a miracle that anything ever gets done,” added the executive. 

Rossi further shared that he feels the Pirates universe will get a much-needed boost if the Warner Brothers go with the proposed Margot Robbie starrer.

He gushed referring to the ‘Barbie’ actress, saying, “There's a talent level. There's a reason they call them stars. She is a star because she has ascended up into the heavens in terms of Hollywood royalty.”

“So whatever she does, it's going to be amazing because that level of talent is going to always come out. So to get her in a pirate movie, it would absolutely be great. There's no question of it,” shared someone else.

He also wants to see spin-offs in the Pirates universe using the original movie's female characters. “Again, it's just my opinion, but I wouldn't call it a female version of Pirates. I would call it an expansion and an exploration of the Pirate's universe. You can't go up and try to replace what's been done,” shared Rossio. 

He added, “I don't know why you wouldn't. You have to be fiscally responsible. Maybe the budgets are a little bit smaller, but why not do an expansion of the universe back to where the budget was for the first one, and I'm sure it would be successful.”

Fans are excited at the prospect of Johnny Depp's return

Needless to say, fans welcomed Rossio's words about Johnny Depp's probable return. 

One of the fans gushed at the prospect, saying, "That would be fantastic. It's a win-win for everyone."

Someone else praised Rossio, saying, "He sure is beloved by many, and it's great to see such strong support from Terry Rossio."

Another fan shared, "Terry Rossio says it perfectly “that’s what the fans want”. Last week in Sydney I was part of 9,000 fans who watched #POTC on the big screen so I absolutely agree with Terry’s statement 👍."

"Yup. It's not even worth it for ANYBODY without Johnny....but having the others would be gravy....," declared someone else.

Another fan chimed in, "Nobody will accept anyone else playing Jack Sparrow. It's unfathomable."

"Yes he does know the facts, he knows what's the real pirates needs what we need and that's not without, it's with Johnny and the rest and of course an apologize in public," said another user. 

Another netizen explained, "We all want Johnny Depp bottom line no matter what you put Johnny Depp in. He’ll give it 1,000,000% and then some because that’s who he is. He gets what we love and why we all love him. Bring back Johnny as Jack because you want to know what Nobody will ever do Jack like Johnny."

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