Jerry Bruckheimer says Johnny Depp is being discussed for ‘Pirates 6’ and urges keeping Paramount based in Hollywood

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer said at Disney’s D23 event on Aug. 16 that the next chapter in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is moving through early development and that conversations with Johnny Depp are underway. Bruckheimer told reporters that, for Pirates of the Caribbean 6, “we’re talking with Johnny (Depp), we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done,” describing the project as an active effort rather than a distant prospect.

Bruckheimer’s comments place Depp, who previously starred in the long-running series, back in the center of planning for Pirates 6. Deadline reported that Bruckheimer did not provide a timeline for production or release, but characterized the script work as a key current step in getting the project to completion.

In separate reporting tied to the same D23 appearances, Deadline said “some solid sources” indicate the continuation will not simply be treated as “the nth” entry in the franchise. The report did not specify what that means in terms of plot, cast size, or creative changes, but it suggests the producers are attempting to differentiate the next installment from past sequels.

Bruckheimer also used the D23 setting to discuss where Paramount should be located and produced. Deadline reported that the producer, known for work including Top Gun, said he wants to keep Paramount in Hollywood, framing the issue as one involving the entertainment industry’s local infrastructure and working base.

The Hollywood-location point appears tied to broader industry debates that have circulated for years about studio operations, labor and production ecosystems, and where major franchises are developed and filmed. In this case, Bruckheimer’s statement is presented in the report as a direct wish for Paramount to remain anchored in Hollywood, without additional detail about specific policies, incentives, or corporate plans.

Bruckheimer’s remarks come as Disney prepares to manage multiple large-scale studio projects while also maintaining established franchise brands. For the Pirates series, which has historically relied on recurring international box office performance and global marketing, any step toward scripting and key cast discussions can materially shape future scheduling, casting outreach, and production planning.

For Depp’s side, any involvement would still require formal negotiations and confirmations beyond the current development discussions described by Bruckheimer. Until Paramount, Disney, or the filmmakers make official announcements, details such as whether Depp would return, who else would be attached, and what target dates would be set remain unconfirmed.

As of Aug. 16, the only documented commitments in the public reporting are Bruckheimer’s statements about ongoing talks with Depp and screenplay work, plus his call to keep Paramount based in Hollywood. The next observable milestones would be any official production announcement, casting confirmation, or a studio release schedule for Pirates of the Caribbean 6, if and when those decisions are finalized.