While we're not inclined to give this rumour-mongering about Johnny Depp's future with the Pirates franchise too much heed, recent events make it more likely.
According to the team at Cinema Blend, Depp is likely to sign on for the fourth outing, On Stranger Tides, but might not then stay with the ship for a fifth and sixth outing.
Which means Disney may end up replacing him with a different character for the later films.
Yes, we're still not exactly convinced - but the departure of Disney movie chief Dick Cook, who helped woo Depp to the idea in the first place hasn't helped matters and the picky these might decide that one more is enough and even a galleon of cash won't change his mind. Plus the fact that even he acknowledges that the last two films were slightly bad will make him think twice.
Nothing has been decided - not even if he'll actually sign on for part four - so consider all of this spurious speculation for now.
[Source: Cinema Blend ]
Your thoughts? Will Depp ditch the ship? Or will he sail again?