SUPERSTAR Johnny Depp may be returning to the Gold Coast as early as next week, with crew of Pirates of the Caribbean V — Dead Men Tell No Tales told they would be needed back on deck on Thursday ready for filming on Monday.

CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL IN LIMBO

PIRATES CREW STOOD DOWN AS DEPP GOES INTO REHAB

More than 200 people were stood down at the end of last month after Depp injured his hand and then went into rehab to help deal with alcohol issues.

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance director of entertainment crew and sport, Mal Tulloch said the crew had received letters from the filmmakers saying it would be good to go “on or about” April 20.

Pirates of the Caribbean on the Coast media_camera Hollywood actor Johnny Depp kisses a fan who waited several hours to see him at The Spit after filming of the Pirates of the Caribbean, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese 1 of 34 media_camera The new set for Johnny Depp's latest Pirates movie is still empty except for a security guard on the Gold Coast. Adam Head 2 of 34 media_camera Actors and film crew on the set of Pirates of the Carribean 5,Dead Men tell no tales, at Maudsland on the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson. 3 of 34 media_camera Actors and film crew on the set of Pirates of the Carribean 5,Dead Men tell no tales, at Maudsland on the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson. 4 of 34 nav_small_close Want to see more?( 30 more photos in collection )Continue to full gallery nav_small_left nav_small_right

The correspondence said employees were expected to resume work on Thursday for “two days preparation” and that travel arrangement would be made for those who needed to return to the city.

“It’s obviously great news, everybody wants to get back in and finish the job.” Mr Tulloch said.

“It’s quite a large production, employing a lot of people, not only in Queensland but across Australia.”

media_camera Johnny Depp at Capt Jack Sparrow.

Mr Tulloch said the union did not expect resumption of filming to be pushed back any further.

“As they’ve formally put it through as a memo, to all crew, we don’t expect there will be any deviation from that.”

media_camera Johnny Depp leaves the country from the Brisbane Airport. Photo: Annette Dew

Depp left the country on March 11, his arm strapped in what looked like black electrical tape, after he broke his wrist.

media_camera Penélope Cruz on the beach at Byron Bay with husband Javier Bardem, a bodyguard and daughter Luna and son Leonardo. Picture Brian Pamphilon

Other stars of the film haven’t strayed far from the set, with Geoffrey Rush spotted at Narrowneck a week ago, as Javier Bardem and wife Penélope Cruz have been relaxing at Byron Bay.