Liputan6.com, Jakarta - After nearly a decade of hiatus, the legendary Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise is showing signs of life again.
Movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed on April 26, 2026, that Disney is actively developing a sixth film in the series.
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This news is a breath of fresh air for fans who have long awaited the continuation of the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow and his friends.
While no final script, production schedule, or cast list has been confirmed, Bruckheimer stated that the production team is working hard to craft the right story.
This process involves considering two different scripts that will determine the next direction of the story.
Active Development and Two Script Options
Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer behind the successful Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, officially announced that Disney is in active development on a sixth film.
Currently, the production team is evaluating several script options to revive the franchise, which last released a film in 2017.
Bruckheimer revealed that there are two competing script versions, and a decision on which one will be chosen is expected to be made in the next few weeks.
One script is being worked on by Jeff Nathanson, the screenwriter for the previous film, Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).
This version is understood to accommodate the return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.
The other script option involves Craig Mazin, the creator of the popular The Last of Us series, collaborating with one of the series' original writers, Ted Elliott.
However, Mazin himself has expressed uncertainty regarding the status of the draft following the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.
Johnny Depp's Future and Margot Robbie's Involvement
Johnny Depp's return as Captain Jack Sparrow was stated by Jerry Bruckheimer saying that Depp might return if he liked the way his role was written in the script.
Meanwhile, Margot Robbie remains involved in a project related to the franchise, potentially a spin-off centered on a new main character.
Bruckheimer confirmed Robbie's involvement in 2025, and in April 2026, he hinted at progress on narrative details surrounding her potential character.
Despite speculation about a reboot that would introduce a new story and end Depp's role as Jack Sparrow, Bruckheimer has not ruled out the actor's return.
Challenges and Comparisons with Other Projects
The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been delayed for years since the last film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, was released in 2017.
Jerry Bruckheimer himself acknowledged that the decade-long delay was due to internal changes at Disney and differing management visions regarding the direction of the Pirates films.
However, he is optimistic that the current management is more focused on completing this project.
The development of Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is also facing internal competition with another major project produced by Bruckheimer, Top Gun 3.
Bruckheimer described this situation as a "horse race," with Top Gun 3 currently "slightly ahead" and having officially entered production.
However, the previous film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, ended with a post-credits scene that hinted at Davy Jones's return, opening up many possibilities for new storylines.