The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has existed for over 20 years now, and much of its success is owed to the dynamics between its major characters. The complex relationships between Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, and Captain Jack Sparrow are engaging, and Pirates of the Caribbean scenes fans still love, such as Will and Elizabeth’s marriage or Jack’s gleeful “I’ve got a jar of dirt!” are part of what makes the series so memorable.
The impact of Will and Elizabeth’s absence is felt in On Stranger Tides and even in ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales outside of their cameos at the end, but those films at least had Jack Sparrow. Making a Pirates of the Caribbean film with even less connection to the originals could be risky. What Pirates of the Caribbean would be like without Jack Sparrow remains a mystery, and he’s the face of the franchise for a reason. Still, if Johnny Depp can’t return as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6, it at least needs one of the others to return.
If Jack Sparrow Isn’t In Pirates Of The Caribbean 6, It Needs Will Turner To Come Back
Will Turner’s Return Could Be Pivotal To The Film’s Success
If Jack isn’t in the film, Will Turner is the best bet for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 to have a connection with the prior films and the franchise’s original lead characters. The post-credits scene in Pirates of the Caribbean 5 perfectly sets up the opportunity for Will to return for the sixth film. After spending so much time as the captain of the Flying Dutchman, the potential return of Davy Jones could be more personal to Will than to anyone else.
Having one of the original stars return for a plot with such personal stakes could be just what the series needs to survive a potential lack of Jack Sparrow. While Will’s presence would add a completely different tone to the film than Jack’s would, he would serve as a connection to the original Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and would give the audience a reason to care about what’s happening. While one of the benefits of Jack’s presence in the Pirates of the Caribbean films is levity, Will’s return could add weight that makes the story feel meaningful.
Why Elizabeth Swann Might Not Be In Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 (Even If Will Turner Returns)
Keira Knightley Is Not Interested In Returning To The Franchise
Keira Knightley has said she has no return plans for Pirates of the Caribbean, so it’s very unlikely to see Elizabeth Swann back for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Knightly explained that she was “seen as sh*t because of them,” and she doesn’t expect that she’ll do any franchises on the same level again. The experience of being in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise had both positives and negatives for her, as they helped establish her as a star and remain her most successful films, but the scrutiny she experienced was difficult for her.
As a result, if Will Turner does return, there will have to be at least some acknowledgment of Elizabeth’s absence. The last time we saw Elizabeth and Will together, Will was finally freed from the Flying Dutchman. Elizabeth has achieved her happy ending of getting Will back, so Will and Elizabeth’s relationship in Pirates of the Caribbean means that even her off-screen presence in his life would have an impact on his character if he returns for Pirates of the Caribbean 6.
Would A Pirates Of The Caribbean Movie Without Any Of The Original Stars Work?
Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Could Struggle Without Any Connection To The Films That Made The Series A Classic
Between Knightley’s disinterest in returning to the franchise, the mystery surrounding whether Johnny Depp will return as Jack Sparrow, and the death of Captain Barbossa in the previous film, the chances of the next film feeling connected with the previous films are growing slimmer. The post-credits scene in ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales perfectly foreshadows the return of Davy Jones, but the stakes wouldn’t have as much impact without the presence of the series’ main characters.
The audience has had time to grow attached to these characters and root for them, so even watching a different set of characters take on Davy Jones would feel more like a reboot than a true continuation of Pirates of the Caribbean. This doesn’t make it impossible for Pirates of the Caribbean 6 to work without its original heroes, but it does make it an uphill battle.
If Pirates of the Caribbean 6 honors its classic characters and handles their absence well, with the right story and the right characters, there is a chance it could succeed without any of the original stars.
If Pirates of the Caribbean 6 honors its classic characters and handles their absence well, with the right story and the right characters, there is a chance it could succeed without any of the original stars. However, it would be impossible not to compare it with the films that came before. Even if Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is somehow a great film without the presence of Jack, Will, or Elizabeth, their absence would inevitably make it difficult for the film to succeed as a Pirates of the Caribbean installment.
Pirates of the Caribbean
- Movie(s)
-
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean: ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Man’s Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Pirates of the Caribbean: ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales
- Created by
-
Gore Verbinski, Jerry Bruckheimer
- First Film
-
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
- Latest Film
-
Pirates of the Caribbean: ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Men Tell No Tales
- Cast
-
Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Sam Claflin, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario
Summary
A series of fantasy swashbuckler films produced by Disney, featuring the adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow. Known for its supernatural elements, high-seas action, and iconic characters, the franchise has become a cultural phenomenon and was loosely based on the Disney theme park ride of the same name.
