Johnny Depp’s future in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise has been uncertain over the last few years.
The star was dropped from a sixth outing by Disney, following his ex-wife Amber Heard’s Washington Post op-ed featuring claims of domestic abuse. But now he has won his defamation case against her, fans are wondering if a return as Captain Jack Sparrow could be on the cards.
The actor certainly has a number of strong supporters among his Pirates co-stars, who have been backing his comeback even amid this turbulent period in his life.
After his court verdict, one tweeted: “PLANT YOUR FLAG FOR JOHNNY DEPP…You all Brought That Horizon.”
READ MORE: Disney breaks silence on Johnny Depp Jack Sparrow future in Pirates 6
Javier Bardem, who played the villainous Salazar in Pirates 5 gave his written support to Depp in 2020 during his defamation case.
According to PEOPLE, he wrote: “I love Johnny. He has always been a true gentleman and an extremely generous and caring friend to my family and myself.On top of that I’ve had the gift of working with him twice and have experienced his respectful attitude towards every single member of the crew alongside his unique and hilarious sense of humour.”
“I stand by Johnny because I have always seen and felt a true caring and loving man in him – an extraordinary and unique artist who has listened to anyone who needed his help. I not only love Johnny but respect him deeply and I thank him for being the free and careless little boy he is in his art and the mature and loving man he is in the lives of others – always there when we need him.”
Bardem claimed that the Jack Sparrow star was a “good human being” who was “trapped in the lies and manipulations of toxic beings”.
His wife Penélope Cruz, who co-starred with Depp in the fourth movie Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, also filed deposition in Depp’s support. She wrote that while she was pregnant on set, Depp treated her with “sweetness, protection and kindness.” The actress added: “I’ve seen Johnny in so many situations and he is always kind to everyone around. He is one of the most generous people I know.”
Another supporter of Depp’s return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is Kevin McNally, who plays Captain Jack’s First Mate, Mr Gibbs, in all five Pirates of the Caribbean movies to date.
Previously speaking exclusively with Express.co.uk, we asked him if he supported Depp’s return in a sixth movie. He said: “Definitely. I’ve never seen a hint of any dark side to Johnny. I see a great humanitarian and a beautiful human being. I don’t see any impediment for him coming back and playing Jack Sparrow. I think there was a general feeling that without Jack there is no Pirates franchise. And there’s probably a lot of truth in that.”
Alongside the Mr Gibbs star, Depp has a supporter in Greg Ellis, who played Lieutenant Commander Theodore Groves across three of the Pirates of the Caribbean blockbusters.
Depp ended up writing the introduction to Ellis’ book The Respondent: Exposing the Cartel of Family Law, since both have had difficult experiences in the US divorce courts over the years.
The 55-year-old told previously told Express.co.uk: “He’s very supportive of what I’m doing and how I’m doing it. I’m mindful he’s still navigating his way through the legal system on many fronts, so the details of that I don’t talk about much. But I have been and will continue to be vocal. Many people have mischaracterised him. Do I think he’s going to come back? Yes. To what degree, I’m not sure.”
