Johnny Depp Deflects 'Pirates' Return Talk With Orlando Bloom Beard Joke

At a Manhattan screening for his new holiday film 'Ebenezer,' the actor offered self-deprecating humor instead of franchise commitments when asked about reprising Captain Jack Sparrow alongside his former Disney co-star.

Johnny Depp has offered an unconventional counterproposal to Orlando Bloom's public wish for another high-seas adventure: a contest over who can grow facial hair the fastest.

Speaking at a Manhattan screening on November 1 for his upcoming holiday movie Ebenezer, the 63-year-old actor sidestepped franchise politics with self-deprecating humor when asked about reuniting with his former Disney co-star. Instead of addressing studio negotiations or future contracts, Depp poked fun at their shared lack of pirate-worthy whiskers.

"Well, I think we should have a contest of who can grow the fastest non-beard," Depp told People. "Because neither of us can grow a beard, I don't think. I can't, for sure, but maybe he can. I don't know."

The playful response directly addressed comments made by Bloom earlier in the autumn. During a September appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival, Bloom spoke fondly about his years playing blacksmith-turned-swashbuckler Will Turner and openly praised Depp, describing his longtime screen partner as amazing.

Bloom also reflected on the cultural appetite for legacy sequels, observing that nostalgia remains a powerful force in modern moviegoing. He pointed out that audiences often relish revisiting classic stories because of the comfort and memories tied to those cinematic worlds. At the same time, Bloom admitted that he had received no concrete updates regarding a potential sixth installment from Walt Disney Studios.

Depp's comedic deflection sidesteps the delicate corporate questions surrounding the franchise while confirming that affection between the two original leads remains intact. Rather than shutting down the conversation entirely, Depp chose to treat the prospect of boarding a pirate ship again as a punchline.

Depp and Bloom first joined forces alongside Keira Knightley and Geoffrey Rush in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. What began as a risky adaptation of a Disneyland theme park attraction became an international juggernaut, grossing over $654 million worldwide and earning Depp an Academy Award nomination for his breakout portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow.

The pair returned for two massive sequels, Dead Man's Chest in 2006 and At World's End in 2007, cementing the central trio of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann at the heart of pop culture. When the original narrative arc wrapped, Bloom and Knightley exited the main storyline.

Depp continued steering the ship as the sole central lead in 2011's On Stranger Tides, which crossed the $1 billion mark globally despite receiving mixed critical reviews. Bloom eventually resurfaced for a brief cameo in 2017's Dead Men Tell No Tales, bringing Will Turner's oceanic storyline full circle, but the original cast has not shared extended screen time in nearly two decades.

Despite enduring public enthusiasm and frequent social media campaigns from fans, Disney has not officially greenlit a sixth movie. The project has lingered in development purgatory for several years, with the studio exploring competing creative directions.

At one stage, Disney commissioned a female-fronted spinoff intended to star Margot Robbie and written by Christina Hodson. Concurrently, veteran franchise screenwriter Ted Elliott teamed with Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin to pitch an alternative narrative that Mazin described as delightfully weird. Neither concept has formally moved into pre-production.

Longtime series producer Jerry Bruckheimer has consistently maintained that he would welcome Depp back to the role if executive leadership allowed it. Bruckheimer reiterated in multiple industry interviews that Jack Sparrow remains an indelible cinematic creation and that he personally desires Depp's involvement in any continuation.

Depp's own relationship with the studio grew complicated following his 2022 defamation trial in Virginia against former spouse Amber Heard, a legal dispute settled later that year. During trial testimony, Depp stated that he felt dismissed by studio executives before formal findings were reached, leaving his future with Disney uncertain.

While Depp spent several subsequent years working abroad in Europe, his public appearance in New York signals a focused return to theatrical releases. His immediate priority is Ebenezer, director Ti West's festive project slated for theaters on November 13. For now, Jack Sparrow's tricorn hat remains safely in the Disney archives, waiting on a script, a studio agreement, and perhaps a winning beard.

Source:

People November 2–3, 2026

Entertainment Weekly September 2026

CinemaBlend November 2026