The name Johnny Depp has become synonymous with Captain Jack Sparrow. The role has become the most recognizable role of Depp’s career and The Pirates of the Caribbean films are his most commercially successful films. The wise-cracking swashbuckler has seeped into the history of pop culture and has become one of the most comic movie characters ever. The role catapulted Depp into the global stage and made him an international movie star. Audiences thoroughly enjoyed his performance as the character and they even went on to conclude that no one would have portrayed the character as well as Depp.
Considering this sentiment, fans will be shocked to know that Depp was not even the first or second choice for the character in the first film of the franchise. Since it was a risky big studio film based on an attraction ride at Disneyland, many big stars were considered the lead of the film.
Jim Carrey Was the Original Choice for Captain Jack Sparrow
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was the first film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise which was based on the popular attraction ride at Disneyland. The film was a big risk for Disney as they had never made a film like that before. They considered many actors for the role of Captain Jack Sparrow who is the lead of the film.
As CBR revealed, Jim Carrey was Disney’s original choice for the role. However, he had to turn down the role due to scheduling conflicts. This is a surprising fact for the audiences and fans as they consider Johnny Depp to be the one and only actor who could have played the role. It would have been interesting to see how Carrey would have portrayed such a larger-than-life character.
Carrey clearly has the comedic chops, personality, and sarcastic wit to carry off a role like Captain Jack Sparrow. While there is no denying that Depp has made an unforgettable mark as the character, Carrey is also an interesting choice for the character. While Depp most likely will not return to the franchise, if Disney decides to recast the role for future films, their original desire can be fulfilled by casting Carrey in the role and seeing how it turns out.
Johnny Depp is Still Open to Working With Disney in the Future
Johnny Depp and Disney had a falling out ever since the studio dropped him from the role of Captain Jack Sparrow after the many legal accusations made by his ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp was furious and adamant that he would never work with the studio again. But recently, the actor has expressed being open to working with the studio in the future. An inside source close to Depp told People,
“Anything is possible. If it’s the right project, he’ll do it.”
It remains to be seen whether Depp commits to a Disney project in the future. While fans are clamoring for him to return to his role as Jack Sparrow, it is unlikely to happen. It can be also a fresh restart for both parties after their conflict by collaborating and creating brand-new characters and films.
