ThePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise 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, andPirates of the Caribbeanscenes 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 feltinOn Stranger Tidesand even inDead Men Tell No Talesoutside of their cameos at the end, but those films at least had Jack Sparrow. Making aPirates of the Caribbeanfilm with even less connection to the originals could be risky.WhatPirates of the Caribbeanwould 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 inPirates 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 forPirates of the Caribbean 6to have a connection with the prior filmsand the franchise’s original lead characters. The post-credits scene inPirates of the Caribbean5perfectly 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.
Pirates Of The Caribbean Already Has The Perfect Johnny Depp Replacement, So Why Is The Franchise So Hung Up On Jack Sparrow Returning?
Pirates of the Caribbean has already proven that it is time to move on from Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow, but the franchise remains stuck regardless.
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 asa connection to the originalPirates of the Caribbeantrilogyand would give the audience a reason to care about what’s happening. While one of the benefits of Jack’s presence in thePirates of the Caribbeanfilms is levity, Will’s return could addweight 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 forPirates of the Caribbean, soit’s very unlikely to see Elizabeth Swann back forPirates 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 thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise 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.
Disney Already Told You How Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Can Work Even If It Takes A Decade After Dead Men Tell No Tales
These two Disney-owned franchises prove that the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean 6 can still be a massive success despite the slow progress.
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 theFlying Dutchman. Elizabeth has achieved her happy ending of getting Will back, soWill and Elizabeth’s relationship inPirates of the Caribbeanmeans that even her off-screen presence in his life would have an impact on his character if he returns forPirates 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 inDead Men Tell No Talesperfectly foreshadows the return of Davy Jones, but the stakes wouldn’t have as much impact without the presence of the series' main characters.
Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Breaking A Franchise Record Is Secretly Good For Disney’s Next POTC Movie, Whether Johnny Depp Returns Or Not
The next Pirates of the Caribbean movie will mean the longest gap between the franchise’s movies, but this could actually be exactly what we need.
The audience has had time to grow attached to these characters and root for them, so evenwatching a different set of characters take on Davy Jones would feel more like a rebootthan a true continuation ofPirates of the Caribbean. This doesn’t make it impossible forPirates of the Caribbean 6to work without its original heroes, but it does make it an uphill battle.

IfPirates of the Caribbean 6honors 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.
IfPirates of the Caribbean 6honors 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 ifPirates of the Caribbean 6is 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 aPirates of the Caribbeaninstallment.

