Back in 2018, UK publisher The Sun described Johnny Depp — known best for playingCaptain Jack SparrowinPirates of the Caribbean— as a “wife-beater” in one of their prints. It did so in reference to accusations Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard threw at him during their infamous divorce back in 2015-2017. Depp decided to retaliate against this by suing The Sun, and his libel case begins this week.

Amidst all of this, Disney has announced that it has plans to create anewPirates of the Caribbeanmovie starring Margot Robbie. The film will feature an all-female main cast and be completely separate from the previously announcedPirates of the Caribbeanreboot helmed by the series original writer, Ted Elliott.

jack sparrow pirates of the caribbean johnny depp

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Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer of the originalPirates of the Caribbeantrilogy and its two sequels, would like to reference Johnny Depp and Sparrow in the upcoming Margot Robbie spin-off. But Disney is apparently hesitating in allowing it because of Depp’s past being in the spotlight again. It seems the company will only give the green light if Depp’s press dies down a bit.

It’s worth noting that Amber Heard is on tape admitting that she’s the one who abusedJohnny Depp. Overall, the situation is somewhat similar to that of James Gunn’s when he was under fire for some questionable tweets he made in the past. Disney felt it needed to distance itself from Gunn because of the controversy surrounding him. Hopefully, Depp will get the chance to move on the same way Gunn was allowed to.

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