Johnny Depp’s return to Pirates of the Caribbean was welcomed by the producer, after the actor was fired from the lead role over allegations of abuse by Amber Heard.

Johnny Depp hasn’t been cancelled, at least as far as the Pirates of the Caribbean reboot is concerned.

Swashbuckling franchise writer and producer Terry Rossio tells DailyMail.com that now that Depp has upped his game, he will be welcomed with open arms.

In an exclusive interview, Rossio said he “wouldn’t even hesitate” to have Depp back on set, despite allegations of abuse and alcoholism against the actor.

Rossio, 63, said casting the controversial Hollywood star “isn’t the problem” for a sequel, but rather finding the right script, co-stars and finances to revive the Disney-owned franchise, which has grossed more than $4,500. millions of dollars around the world.

Speaking exclusively on camera at the premiere of his new film Protocol 7, Rossio said of Depp: ‘Johnny is loved. I wouldn’t even doubt Johnny Depp.’

“Johnny Depp is not the problem. The question is: is there a worthwhile story? Is the script good? Can it be directed well? Can the finances of it be worked out? Those are the questions. The problem has nothing to do with Johnny.

Rossio, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Shrek, added that Disney should not simply consider Depp’s return, but instead try to bring back the main cast of the original Oscar-nominated Pirates debut film, Dead Man’s Chest.

When asked how far Disney bosses had gone in their revival plans, Rossio pleaded ignorance, saying, “My God, I don’t have any inside information.” I’m sorry, I can’t say it.

But he then noted that other factors are likely delaying the reboot and that it can sometimes take more than a decade to even make the desired films.

“The Indiana Jones movie, for example, was like that,” he said. “Everyone wanted it, but it took 15 or 16 years for it to become a reality.”

‘There are a lot of forces that come into play in terms of…schedule, availability, finances, creative control, the layout of the studio, the planets have to align on any film. It’s a miracle anything ever gets done.

Last year, franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer spoke of his hope that Depp would return as Sparrow, but never confirmed that Disney was on board.

Rossio’s comments will delight fans given that many had called for him to return after winning his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard.

The actor said in court, under questioning from his own lawyer, that Disney removed him from the sixth film after Heard accused him of beating his wives.

But a Virginia jury found that Depp demonstrated elements of defamation in Heard’s statements in her 2018 Washington Post op-ed. They decided that Heard’s statements were false and that she defamed Depp with actual malice.

The Jack Sparrow actor enjoyed a five-minute ovation at the Cannes Film Festival for his 2023 film Jeanne du Barry, in which he plays former French king Louis XV.

Rossio believes that with Depp’s career on the rise, Disney should reunite with Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley for this comeback.

‘Clearly, in my opinion, the best pirate movie, in my controversial opinion, would be to bring everyone back. I would bring Johnny back. “I would bring Gore Verbinski back,” said the screenwriter.

“I would bring back Jeffrey Rush. “I would bring back Orlando (Bloom), (Kevin) McNeely and Keira (Knightley),” he said. ‘That’s the best pirate movie. Why not? We had a great time the first time. Let’s do it again. That’s what I would do if it were me, why not? And that’s what the fans want.”

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl saw Depp nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor and grossed over $650 million at the box office.

Rossio feels that Warner Brothers will have a hit if they move forward with the proposed idea of ​​a Pirates movie starring Oscar nominee Margot Robbie.

‘There is a level of talent. There’s a reason they call them stars. “He’s a star because he’s ascended to the heavens in terms of Hollywood royalty,” she said.

“So whatever he does, it’s going to be amazing because that level of talent will always come out.” So including her in a pirate movie would be absolutely great. There is no doubt about it.

Rossio also wants to see spin-offs in the Pirates universe using the female characters from the original film, similar to what Disney did with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

‘Again, it’s just my opinion, but I wouldn’t call it a female version of Pirates. I would call it an expansion and exploration of the Pirate universe. “You can’t go up and try to replace what’s been done,” she stated.

‘That would be absolutely great. There could be a Héctor Barbossa and Jeffrey Rush movie,” he added, referring to the cursed pirate captain antagonist of the first film.

‘I don’t know why you wouldn’t. You have to be fiscally responsible. Maybe the budgets are a little smaller, but why not do an expansion of the universe to where the budget was for the first one? I’m sure it would be a success. ‘

Rossio wrote the script for Protocol 7 for disgraced anti-vaccine British doctor Andrew Wakefield, who became a filmmaker after his medical license was revoked.

The film tells the story of Alexis, a small-town lawyer, who faces the reality of corporate fraud at the highest level.

The film has sparked outrage over unproven claims that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes serious long-term health problems.

Rossio commented on his work with Wakefield: ‘Well, I just look at it as what does the science say? What does the research say, what is the clarity that emerges when examining the topic? And if you are aware of the reality of what is happening, how can you go wrong?