For years, fans have wondered if Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean franchise would ever set sail again. With five films grossing billions worldwide, a sixth installment seemed inevitable—yet the project has been stuck in choppy waters. Now, producer Jerry Bruckheimer has offered fresh updates, confirming that Margot Robbie is still involved and that The Last of Us creator Craig Mazin co-wrote a script. Here's everything we know about Pirates of the Caribbean 6.
Margot Robbie's Role Remains Active
In a 2025 interview with The Wrap, Bruckheimer confirmed that Margot Robbie is still attached to the project. “She's still involved,” he said, putting to rest rumors that the Barbie star had dropped out. Robbie was first linked to the reboot in 2020, and her involvement has been a major point of excitement for fans eager to see a fresh face lead the franchise.
Two Scripts in the Works
Bruckheimer revealed that two separate scripts are being developed. One is being written by Jeff Nathanson, who penned the last entry, Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017). The other comes from Ted Elliott (co-writer of the first four films) and Craig Mazin, the Emmy-winning creator of Chernobyl and The Last of Us. “We have two, and we don't know who's going to win the horse race at this point,” Bruckheimer told Collider in 2024. “Hopefully in the next month, I'll have a script, and maybe Disney will want to make it.”
Craig Mazin's 'Really Cool Story'
In a recent interview, Mazin opened up about his collaboration with Elliott. “We came up with this really cool story,” he said, though he admitted he's unsure of the project's current status due to delays from the 2023 WGA and SAG strikes. “I actually don't know what's going on with that,” Mazin quipped, adding that he's inspired to reach out to Bruckheimer for an update. The script, which would serve as a continuation of the original series, remains in limbo.
Johnny Depp's Possible Return
While the franchise is expected to reboot with new characters, Bruckheimer hasn't ruled out Johnny Depp's return as Captain Jack Sparrow. “If he likes the way the part's written, I think he would do it,” the producer said, noting that it all depends on the script. Depp's reputation took a hit following his legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, making his involvement a sensitive topic for Disney. Still, Bruckheimer emphasized that the door is open.
What's Taking So Long?
The sixth Pirates film has been in development hell for years. Dead Men Tell No Tales earned $794 million worldwide—a drop from previous billion-dollar installments—and received mixed reviews, signaling franchise fatigue. A post-credits scene teased the return of Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Bill Nighy, but no sequel materialized. The 2023 strikes further stalled progress, and Disney has been cautious about greenlighting a project tied to Depp's controversy.
Despite the delays, Bruckheimer remains optimistic. “They're close on part of it,” he said in 2026, hinting that a breakthrough may be near. With Disney's track record of reviving beloved IPs—like Netflix's live-action Scooby-Doo reboot—a new Pirates film seems likely, even if the journey has been rocky.
What's Next?
For now, fans will have to wait. Bruckheimer is focused on delivering a script that Disney will greenlight, whether it's Nathanson's reboot or Mazin and Elliott's continuation. With Margot Robbie attached and a treasure trove of story ideas, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise may yet find its sea legs. As Bruckheimer put it, “We want to make it.”
