While we know we’re getting aPirates of the Caribbean 6, it’s still unclear what that movie will actually look like. The lack of information about even the cast of the film makes it difficult to predict, as the focus of the film could be heavily dependent on which cast members return tothePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise. WhileKeira Knightley has made it clear that she has no plans to return toPirates of the Caribbean, other cast members have not been as vocal about their plans. It still remains to be seen whether Johnny Depp will return as Jack Sparrow.
Whether Depp (or anyone else) returns could have a major impact on the success of the new film and on the direction of the franchise.Pirates of the Caribbeanhas come out with films missing major characters before, and while their Rotten Tomatoes scores are lower, they didn’t kill the series.On Stranger Tidesis even one of thehighest-grossing fantasy movies.There are many different possibilities for what the cast ofPirates of the Caribbean 6could be, and that could heavily influence the film’s story.
7A Direct Sequel Starring The Original Pirates Of The Caribbean Cast
We Could See Jack, Will, And Elizabeth Reunite
While it’s unlikely, it is still possible thatwe might see Jack, Elizabeth, and Will reunite once again.Elizabeth and Will did have a cameo inPirates of the Caribbean 5, and its post-credits scene involving them seemed to hint at a direction for the next film. And while we’ve had aPirates of the Caribbeanfilm entirely without the two of them before, it seems unlikely that one will be released that features both of them without Jack Sparrow.
It’s possible thatPirates of the Caribbean 6will mark a return to the first three films' original atmosphere, with Jack, Will, and Elizabeth confronting Davy Jones once again. Going back to the vibe of the bestPirates of the Caribbeanfilms might be just what the series needs to be able to achieve great success. It’s been long enough that seeing the original trilogy’s main characters reunite would be both nostalgic and new and exciting, which is the perfect mix for bringing viewers back into the world ofPirates of the Caribbean.
6A Soft Reboot With Only Some Of The Original Pirates Of The Caribbean Characters
It’s Unlikely That Keira Knightley Returns, But We Could See Her And Will Reunite
As it’s unlikely that we’ll see Keira Knightley,it’s possible thatPirates of the Caribbean 6includes some of the series' original major characterswithout including all of them. We could see a film featuring Jack and Will without Elizabeth. A movie with just the two of them and not Elizabeth could be similar in idea to one that would feature the three of them, with just a missing element.
We could also see a film focused on other characters from earlier movies besides the main trio, such as Gibbs, who is one of the few characters to have appeared in everyPirates of the Caribbeanmovie. Another character who’s been in each of the past films is Barbossa, butGeoffrey Rush finds Barbossa’s return inPirates of the Caribbean 6unlikely. He suggested that a return as a ghost in the style of Hamlet’s father is possible, but if that were the case, it probably wouldn’t be for a major role. It’s more likely that other characters return.
5A Soft Pirates Of The Caribbean Reboot With Will Turner Passing The Torch
We Don’t Know Yet If Orlando Bloom Will Return
Will would be the best replacement ifPirates of the Caribbean 6goes without Jack Sparrow, ashe’s probably the character from the original main trio with the most story left to tell. This is especially true with the Davy Jones tease at the end of the last film. After Will’s time on the Flying Dutchman, it would be a shame to explore the return of Davy Jones without letting Will be a part of it.
We could possibly see Will pass the torch as a soft reboot, helping pave the path for a new generation ofPirates of the Caribbeanfilms not featuring any of the original main characters.
Will’s presence inPirates of the Caribbean 6would bring something totally different than what Jack’s inclusion would, of course. Jack Sparrow provides elements such as humor even when the story isn’t about him, while in contrast,Will’s presence would add an element of nostalgia and weight to the story. We could possibly see Will pass the torch as a soft reboot, helping pave the path for a new generation ofPirates of the Caribbeanfilms not featuring any of the original main characters.
4A Soft Reboot Featuring Only Jack Sparrow From The Original Cast, Again
Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Could Follow In The Footsteps Of On Stranger Tides
If Johnny Depp returns, it’s possiblewe could see another movie featuring Jack Sparrow without Will or Elizabeth. This wouldn’t be the first time thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise came out with a film featuring Jack without the two of them. WhilePirates of the Caribbeanis at its strongest with the three of them together, there is no question why Jack Sparrow is the face of the franchise.Pirates of the Caribbeanhas proven that it can survive a movie without other major characters, but it’s never tried to survive without Jack Sparrow.
A movie with Jack Sparrow would also have the option to act as a direct sequel toDead Men Tell No Talesor play around with its place in the timeline. We could get another standalone sequel similar toOn Stranger Tidesbefore following up the Davy Jones plot in aPirates of the Caribbean 7. We could also seeJack Sparrow in a supporting role inPirates of the Caribbean 6, taking a step back as new main characters come into focus. As we’ve seen from prior films,Jack Sparrow’s presence inPirates of the Caribbeanprovides endless storytelling and comedic potential.
The Last Movie Introduced Will And Elizabeth’s Son
2017’sPirates of the Caribbean 5introduced Will and Elizabeth’s son Henry Turner, and he and Barbossa’s daughter Carina could provide the franchise with an opportunity to move into a new generation of main characters.Henry and Carina still have connections to the main characters of past films, andDead Men Tell No Talesdid feature many of the series' past main characters in some capacity, so it’s possible that the most recentPirates of the Caribbeanfilm was the one that was meant to introduce the franchise’s future main characters.
WhileDead Men Tell No Taleswas not as well-received as past films in the franchise, it could still be a stepping stone for the next film. Though it’s been eight years since its release andplans forPirates of the Caribbean 6could have shifted after its poor reception, the fact that Will and Elizabeth have a son, and even the fact that Barbossa has a daughter, should be important in the franchise moving forward.
2A Soft Pirates Of The Caribbean Reboot With An All-New Cast
The New Movie Could Potentially Feel Like An Entirely New Series
It is also possible thatPirates of the Caribbean 6doesn’t feature any familiar characters at all, or if it does, they’re only featured as small cameos rather than as major plot-relevant characters. If Johnny Depp doesn’t come back as Jack Sparrow,it’s possible that Disney will attempt to replicate Jack’s eccentricity through a new character. While it seems unlikely that such a character could live up to Jack’s legacy, it doesn’t seem outside the realm of possibility forPirates of the Caribbeanto decide to scrap almost everything and start a soft reboot.
While it would be a shame not to see Jack, Will, Elizabeth, or even Barbossa and Gibbs again, the long break betweenPirates of the Caribbeanfilms might be what the franchise needs to be able to pull off going in a completely new direction.
The fourth and fifthPirates of the Caribbeanfilms featuring a different cast than their predecessors is a good sign for the franchise’s ability to adapt if no major characters return. Though they are not as well-regarded as the original trilogy,Pirates of the Caribbean4 and 5 prove that the franchise is capable of exploring new characters. While it would be a shame not to see Jack, Will, Elizabeth, or even Barbossa and Gibbs again, the long break between films might be what the franchise needs to be able to pull off going in a completely new direction.
1A Villain-Focused Project Putting Davy Jones In The Spotlight
One other possible direction forPirates of the Caribbean 6is for it to put a lot of focus on Davy Jones. His cameo inPirates of the Caribbean 5’s post-credits scene foreshadowed the perfect opportunityfor his potential return inPirates of the Caribbean 6, and if he’s the only major character from the original films to return,the film could even be completely centered around Davy Jones.
A movie focusing on Davy Jones could be the perfect compromise between staying with what’s already been established and going somewhere new. If other original cast members aren’t willing to return, putting the focus on Davy Jones himself could allowPirates of the Caribbean 6to honor its predecessors and explore whatDead Men Tell No Talesset up in its post-credits scene without holding itself to abandoning its original cast in favor of a soft reboot.
