Last week fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise were delivered quite the surprise. Not only did Disney confirm that a reboot of the franchise is in the works, but that it will move on without star Johnny Depp.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Disney’s film production chief Sean Bailey confirmed that Deadpool scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are working on a new Pirates of the Caribbean film without Depp in the lead role.
Videos by ComicBook.com
“We want to bring in a new energy and vitality,” Bailey said. “I love the [Pirates] movies, but part of the reason Paul and Rhett or so interesting is that we want to give it a kick in the pants. And that’s what I’ve tasked them with.”
A Pirates without Depp is one that’s been rumored for some time, with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl writer Stuart Beattie telling the Daily Mail earlier this year that the studio would not pursue another Depp-starring film.
“I think he’s had a great run,” Beattie said. “Obviously, he’s made that character his own and it’s become the character he’s most famous for now. And kids all over the world love him as that character so I think it’s been great for him, it’s been great for us, so I’m just very, very happy about it.”
While Depp has had a tumultuous time in recent years with his high-profile divorce from Amber Heard and accusations of domestic violence alongside reports of alcohol addiction, health concerns, and more recent reports of financial issues and lawsuits with former business partners, it’s not clear that those are reasons the franchise is moving on without the actor. Recent reports and rumors suggest that the reboot could center around a female lead character, specifically Redd, the newly-added pirate in the Disney Parks rides, as Jack Sparrow‘s successor.
Whatever the reasons and plans for the reboot, what is clear that fans have had some strong reactions to the news of Depp’s departure, taking to social media to let what is largely their displeasure be known. We’ve collected some of our favorite reactions for you to read below.
What do you think? Be sure to add your opinion of Johnny Depp not being a part of the Pirates of the Caribbean reboot in the comments below.
Not ‘Pirates’ without Depp
Pirates of the Caribbean without Johnny Depp isn’t pirates of the Caribbean… pic.twitter.com/z68kDAGOXA
— ??? (@Cheey_Williams) December 23, 2018
No, thanks.
Pirates of the Caribbean without Johnny Depp?Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Thanks.
— lukeythetanuki (@thattrainslover) December 23, 2018
Disney is clearly out of ideas.
you can tell @DisneyStudios is officially out of ideas. stop trying to ruin the Pirates franchise like you’ve already started to. THERE IS NO POTC WITHOUT JOHNNY DEPP!!!
— maddy ? (@lukexbryan) December 23, 2018
The franchise is pointless now.
Me: Is there really any need to keep this franchise going with or without Depp?
— Bob Salley (@Bob_Salley) December 23, 2018
Johnny Depp dropped from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise, Disney producer confirms https://t.co/adrNyp5Yrp #FoxNews
No one’s going to watch.
I hope Disney knows that literally no one is going to watch Pirates of the Caribbean without Johnny Depp
— Maddie Nasuti (@madelyn_nasuti) December 23, 2018
Depp is ‘Pirates’.
If Pirates of the Caribbean films are made and Johnny Depp is not in the film, I will not watch it. Johnny Depp IS pirates of the Caribbean. End of.
— Maisie Gibbs (@maisieagibbs) December 23, 2018
Nonsense.
Imagine making another Pirates of the Caribbean without Johnny Depp. Y’all better make Captain Barbosa’s monkey the lead character then. Nonsense.
— 11 others. (@Owakina) December 23, 2018
