The word on the street is that Ayo Edebiri might be replacing Johnny Depp as the new lead for Disney’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and let’s just say, fans are keeping their fingers crossed.
Now, the drama surrounding Depp’s replacement of the iconic character has been a hot topic ever since it was announced that the company would be removing him from the franchise after he was involved in a much-publicized defamation case with his former wife Amber Heard.
During the pair’s highly publicized legal battle, which ended in June 2022 after the jury unanimously sided with the Fantastic Beasts star, it was announced that he would no longer be part of the franchise despite some rumors suggesting that Disney was trying to get him to reprise the role.
However, Depp allegedly shut it down, with a question during the trial that saw him reject any offer proposed to him.
Actor Johnny Depp last played the character of Jack Sparrow back in 2017. Credit: Rich Fury/Getty
He was asked: “If Disney came to you with $300 million and a million alpacas, nothing on this earth would get you to go back and work with Disney on a Pirates of the Caribbean film?”
To which, he simply replied: “That is true.”
He also reflected on his time as Sparrow as well as his relationship with the production company in a statement, explaining: “Captain Jack Sparrow was a character that I had built from the ground up and was something that I put a lot of – you put a lot of yourself into characters.
“And also having worked on those films with those people, and having put a lot of my own rewriting, dialogue, scenes, and jokes and whatever they are,” he told the jury at the time. “I didn’t quite understand how, after that long relationship, and quite a successful relationship, certainly for Disney, that suddenly I was guilty until proven innocent.”
Johnny Depp said he would never reprise the role of Jack Sparrow under Disney. Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty
So with the end of Depp’s journey, many have been left wondering who would be taking over the role of the beloved Jack Sparrow, and at first, Margot Robbie seemed to be the name on everyone’s tongues.
Back in 2020, the Hollywood Reporter published an exclusive in which they stated that Robbie was working alongside Christina Hodson to bring about a new era to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, though that project seemed to lose steam after a few months.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, the 33-year-old said: “We had an idea and we were developing it for a while, ages ago, to have more of a female-led – not totally female-led – but just a different kind of story, which we thought would’ve been really cool.”
The Wolf Of Wall Street star added: “But I guess they don’t want to do it,” potentially referring to Disney.
Margot Robbie opened up about an upcoming female-led Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty
In a separate follow-up interview, producer Jerry Bruckheimer insisted the film would still be made, telling The Sun: “It’s alive for me. It’s alive for Disney.
“I’m sure she was disappointed it didn’t go first, or maybe not because she’s very busy, so it might be a blessing to push this a bit. We believe we’ll get it made. It’s a very strong story,” he added.
And it seems as though there’s been another name thrown into the mix and it’s none other than American actress and comedian, Ayo Edebiri.
Ayo Edebiri might be taking over Johnny Depp’s role in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Credit: Michael Kovac/Getty/AFI
According to various outlets including The Hollywood Handle and News.com.au, the studio is considering Edebiri to take on the role of Sparrow in the upcoming installment, tentatively titled Pirates 6.
The outlet reported that The Bear actress is reportedly tipped to play a character named Anne, who is said to be based on real-life pirate Anne Bonny.
While there’s been no further confirmation of the rumor, we’re hoping it does come true!
