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Johnny Depp won't be reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, a Pirates of the Caribbean screenwriter has suggested.

There had been whispers that Disney had met with the writers behind Deadpool to discuss a Pirates of the Caribbean reboot after the five films in the franchise grossed a total of $4.5 billion.

Deadline reported that Jerry Bruckheimer would return to serve as executive producer, but Johnny Depp's future as Sparrow was unknown.

However, DailyMail TV is now reporting that the Hollywood star- who has played the role for 15 years - wouldn't be returning to the franchise.

(Image: Reuters)

(Image: Getty)

Stuart Beattie, a scriptwriter for the movies, appeared to confirm the 55-year-old wouldn't be back.

He said: "I think he's had a great run. Obviously, he's made that character his own and it's become the character he's most famous for now.

"And kids all over the world love him as that character so I think it's been great for him, it's been great for us, so I'm just very, very happy about it.

(Image: Splash News)

Stuart added: "I think Jack Sparrow will be his legacy. It's the only character he's played five times, it's the character he dresses up in to visit children in hospitals, it's what he'll be remembered for.

"Before Jack Sparrow came along, Depp was considered this kind of quirky, independent actor that made these really cool little Tim Burton films, but he was by no means a movie star and a lot of people thought we were crazy for casting him at the time.

"Because he wasn't a proven commodity; you know, a big movie star. And we were making a big movie and we were putting this quirky, independent actor in the middle of it and people thought we were crazy. The fact that it worked is a miracle.

"They were certainly nervous watching the rushes everyday but when it all came together, something just clicked and it was magic and connected with audiences. I'm proud to be a part of it."

(Image: Getty)

Johnny's last film in the franchise, Dead Men Tell No Tales, received mixed reviews and was the lowest performing movie in the franchise.

It comes after Johnny’s ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of domestic violence during a bitter divorce battle, and he became embroiled in a lawsuit against his former management, which was settled in July.

Meanwhile a legal battle with a location manager who accuses him of violence on set of shelved film City of Lies (which he denies) rattles on.

Mirror Online has contacted a representative for Johnny for comment.