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Let’s break up the tornado of fiascoes that Disney has been drowning in since 2019.
MCU’sAvengers: Endgamewas followed by a troubling phase that left the fans more distraught than ever.Star Warsnever found itself in a more ugly controversy than right now withThe AcolyteandSkeleton Crew. Johnny Depp’s booting from thePiratesfranchise marked the end of a significant IP for Disney that could’ve covered the losses incurred by Marvel and Star Wars.
If Disney was set on a path of self-destruction, it could not have looked better than this. With a lack of vision and originality concerning Marvel and Star Wars, Disney has served up more misses than hits in the past few years. Its other profitable IPs have been wading in somewhat murky waters, too, given how the studio has been more focused on fighting off anti-woke right-wing critics rather than investing that time in actually delivering quality material.
Now, the studio seems convinced that doubling down on its past mistakes will help salvage Disney’s tattered reputation in the long run.
Disney Commits Itself to Repeating the Same Mistakes
The Battle of the Bobs: 2022 marked a significant shift in Disney’s internal structure and leadership when Bob Iger cut his retirement short and returned to power after a succession struggle that ended with the firing of Bob Chapek. Now, the succession drama rises to a fever pitch as the studio looks to replace Iger by New Year’s 2027, marking another major shift in internal restructuring.
The Return of the Pirates: Apart from Marvel, Star Wars, and its animated originals (likeInside OutandMoana),Pirates of the Caribbeanhad been the only franchise capable of making Disney reign over the box office. However, an oversaturation on the franchise’s part made the last few films feel like a cash-grab opportunity rather than a creative endeavor. As such, calling off thePiratesfranchise seemed like a good decision on behalf of the film’s legacy.
However, Jerry Bruckheimer is far from giving up on thePiratesjust yet. He has been developing two more scripts in tandem with each other, one involvingJohnny Deppand another without the franchise’s former lead actor.
Disney Developing Pirates of the Caribbean Script That Can Bring Back Johnny Depp Under 1 Condition Despite Wrongfully Abandoning Him
The Johnny Depp Controversy: In the aftermath ofAmber Heard‘s 2018Washington Postop-ed, Disney wasted no time in booting Johnny Depp and calling off all future projects under thePirates of the Caribbeanbanner. Jerry Bruckheimer & Co. stood silently by and let the pieces fall where they may while Depp & Heard butted heads in court – once in London and again in Virginia.
The industry shunned both actors as they sought refuge in Europe. No studio, director, or producer was ready to stick their neck out to help Johnny Depp or Amber Heard transition back into the film industry. As the controversy seems to die down, Disney looks keen on bringing back Johnny Depp in a future installment of thePiratesfranchise, as confirmed by an exclusive inVariety.
What Johnny Depp’s Return Could Mean for Disney
Once upon a time, long, long ago, Hollywood was a far more forgiving place than it is today. Now, the industry is vicious, merciless, and operates under the constant scrutiny of Cancel Culture, public perception, woke ideology, and right-wing conservatives while art suffers on the sidelines, caught amid an endless culture war.
If Johnny Depp were to return to Disney – reconciliations and all included – the studio’s fanbase would be cleaved into two, followed by mass outrage, riots, boycotts, and a call to arms. Those in support of Depp’s return would have to concede in the face of the violent uprising, and if the studio still chooses to move forward with the project without Depp, the controversy would affect the film commercially, rendering the whole operation moot.
The same goes for Disney if the studio reboots the franchise without Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. The actor has singlehandedly made the character his own by endowing him with traits that cannot be replicated. Without Jack Sparrow, aPiratesfilm would sink. And without Depp, there is no Sparrow.
Pirates of the Caribbean 6: Robert Downey Jr.’s $100 Million Doctor Doom Contract Will Look Less if Disney Tries to Convince Johnny Depp for His Return
On the other hand, an ideal scenario presents itself where things could go rather well for Disney… if they exploited the controversy to its benefit. The mass engagement would mean an increased probability of theatrical success for the film. Fans and haters alike would rush to the theaters to either support or disparage Johnny Depp on the big screen.
Depp himself would become a trendsetter if/when he reconciles with Disney. Either way, Disney’s decision to green-light the project could become a watershed moment in the studio’s history that could have repercussions years down the line.
Pirates of the Caribbeanfranchise is streaming on Disney+.
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2409
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
