It was the second occasion on which the schedule has had to be rejigged, coming after a disruption to second unit photography caused by Tropical Cyclone Nathan just days after production started in February. Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow is the central figure in Disney's franchise, which has grossed more than $4.7 billion to date. About half of the film's estimated 400 crew were told on Thursday there would be no more work for at least two weeks. Those who are in rented accommodation provided by the production have been told they can continue to use it in the interim, and they will be able to use accrued leave and entitlements to cover some of the income shortfall ahead of a scheduled resumption of production on April 15. A spokesman for Jerry Bruckheimer Films, which is making the film for Disney, said production on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales "will be minimally impacted by Johnny Depp's injury. Production will absolutely continue when he returns." However, questions have been raised about when exactly that might be, with some reports suggesting Depp is in fact in rehab in the US.

News Ltd papers have reported that Depp injured his hand in a fit of anger while staying at motorcyclist Mick Doohan's house on the Gold Coast. The reports claim that following the incident, "worried family and Disney 'big wigs' had gone to Depp's home to push him into seeking help for his problems". A "source" told the Gold Coast Bulletin that "producers will mothball the entire production and recast every part if the other actors aren't available for a postponed shoot to be sure they can make the movie with Johnny". The spokesman for Jerry Bruckheimer Films has labelled such claims as "absolutely and totally false". It is understood the production still has about 14 weeks of shooting time to run.

Mal Tulloch, director of entertainment crew and sport for the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, said the union had enjoyed a reasonable relationship with Disney and was not concerned "at this stage" that the production would not proceed. "They've tried to keep it going in his absence – it's not like a Fast and Furious situation, where the star has died – but they've reached the pinch point." Depp has admitted to problems with alcohol in the past, telling Rolling Stone magazine in June 2013 that "I investigated wine and spirits thoroughly, and they certainly investigated me as well, and we found out that we got along beautifully, but maybe too well". Claiming to have been sober for 18 months at that stage, Depp added: "I don't have the physical need for the drug alcohol … It's more my medication, my self-medication over the years just to calm the circus. Once the circus kicks in, the festivities in the brain, it can be ruthless." Last December, Depp appeared to give a drunken speech at a Hollywood Press Association awards night. Shortly afterwards, the National Enquirer reported that Depp was attempting an "at-home" treatment for his alcohol issues.

Clearly, the franchise is far too important to Disney and producer Bruckheimer to allow it to be steered off course. The four films to date have collectively taken $US3.73 billion ($4.75 billion) at the cinema, and spawned computer games and countless kids' birthday parties. With a treasure chest like that, it is unfathomable to imagine it could be sunk by a mere bottle of rum. On Twitter: @karlkwin