It’s been almost eight years since Johnny Depp last set sail as Captain Jack Sparrow in the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Since then, the 61-year-old star has been dropped by Disney over the 2018 domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-wife Amber Heard, which he strongly denies.

Yet, having won his libel case against her in 2022, it looks like the return fans have so longed for could still happen if the actor and studio can reconcile.

According to Variety’s multiple sources, Depp’s friend Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer of the Pirates movies, has two versions of a sixth film being developed simultaneously.

And it turns out that one of them has the star returning as Captain Jack.

Although Disney are yet to approach Depp about returning as Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6, one insider said: “Nothing has been ruled out.” And given the actor’s recent comments, it sounds like time can heal and he doesn’t hold grudges.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter while promoting his new film Modì, Depp said: “Honestly, I can sit here this very second and think about all the hit pieces, and how everybody was against me, and yeah yeah yeah he is off the map … endless stuff. I can remember it all. Went through it all. Some of it was not the most beautiful time, some of it was hilarious. Some of it was mad. The thing is, it simply just was, and it simply just is. So, for me, it happened. I learned, man. Everything that we experience, whether you’re given a snow cone or walking your dog, you learn something somewhere along the way. So I don’t have any ill feelings toward anyone. I don’t have this great reserve of hatred, because hatred requires caring. Why carry that baggage?”

Depp fans rejoiced on X at the idea of the star reprising Jack Sparrow in Pirates 6.

One commented: “I speak for everyone when I say we need him back.” Another said: “There’s literally no Pirates of The Caribbean without Johnny Depp.” And one added: “This has the potential to be one of their biggest successes or biggest flops of all time. Do the right thing Disney, bring him back!!!”