Fans Turn On Margot Robbie After Rumored Role In Blockbuster Franchise With Controversial Hollywood Star: "Don't Do That Girl"

Margot Robbie is reportedly close to joining the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, years after she was first linked to the project.

Following the 2017 fifth installment, the film series remained dormant for nearly a decade as development on a sixth entry stalled. On August 16, franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer offered a major update on the next installment.

Highlights

Margot Robbie could be heading toward a major new franchise role.
A potential casting decision has already sparked strong reactions among fans.
The latest development comes as another Robbie-led sequel faces delays.

While Robbie is expected to feature in the sixth installment, another controversial Hollywood star may return to the franchise. The possibility has already prompted some fans to warn Robbie to steer clear of the franchise.

“Don’t do that, girl,” one fan said on X.

Margot Robbie could lead a new Pirates of the Caribbean film

Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow holding Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann with a chain, relevant to Margot Robbie controversy.

Disney

During an appearance at the D23 fan event on Sunday, producer Jerry Bruckheimer shared a rare update on the future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Speaking to Deadline, he confirmed that Disney had spoken with Johnny Depp about reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the sixth installment.

Margot Robbie in a black and gold military-style jacket, central to the rumored blockbuster franchise role.

Grant Buchanan/Dave Benett/Getty Images

“We’re talking with Johnny [Depp], we’re working on a screenplay, and hopefully we can get this done,” he said.

Shortly after Bruckheimer’s revelation, sources told the publication that Depp’s potential return would be limited to a supporting role rather than the leading role he previously held. Instead, Margot Robbie was expected to take on the lead role.

Tweet expressing fans reaction to Margot Robbie's rumored role in a controversial blockbuster franchise.

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Robbie was first linked to the Pirates franchise in May 2024, when Bruckheimer revealed that two separate scripts for the sixth movie were in development, with the Barbie star expected to lead one of them.

Jerry Bruckheimer and Orlando Bloom, relevant figures in the blockbuster franchise amidst Margot Robbie casting rumors.

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“We hope to get ’em both made, and I think Disney agrees they really want to make the Margot one,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

However, in 2022, Robbie hinted that the project had fallen apart after being in development for “ages.”

“I guess they don’t want to do it,” she told Vanity Fair.

Tweet from a fan about the blockbuster franchise, highlighting Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow and Margot Robbie's role.

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Jerry Bruckheimer reveals conversations have been had with Johnny Depp about returning as Captain Jack Sparrow in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 6’ | #D23 pic.twitter.com/52iJn7apD1
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) August 16, 2026

In a February 2026 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Bruckheimer reiterated that the Robbie-led sequel was still in development and confirmed that he had spoken with the actress about joining the $4.5 billion franchise.

Fans urge the Barbie star to stay away as Johnny Depp’s problematic on-set behavior resurfaces

Margot Robbie and Johnny Depp in a split image, representing the rumored role in blockbuster franchise.

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The latest reports suggest Robbie and Depp could share the screen in the sixth entry. However, the prospect has made many of Robbie’s fans uncomfortable given Depp’s controversial history.

A social media post with the comment dont do that girl, showing fan reaction to Margot Robbie's rumored role.

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In 2016, his ex-wife, Amber Heard, accused Depp of verbally and physically ab*sing her during their two-year marriage.

In 2017, the actor gained a reputation for being difficult to work with after reports alleged he showed up to set late and drunk during the production of the fifth Pirates movie.

“There were certainly days when our plans were challenged,” production chief Sean Bailey told The Hollywood Reporter.

Johnny Depp looking at the camera, dressed in a black shirt and hat, at an event, relevant to his Hollywood star status.

Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

In 2019, Depp sued Heard for defamation and, during the trial, admitted he had no intention of returning to the Pirates franchise after Disney allegedly removed him before a verdict was reached.

A social media post discussing the ages of Margot Robbie and Johnny Depp, featuring Kiera Knightly and Orlando Bloom.

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In 2020, he was subsequently dropped from the Fantastic Beasts franchise amid domestic ab*se allegations.

Depp eventually won the defamation lawsuit in 2022, and since then, the 63-year-old has gradually returned to Hollywood.

His role as Ebenezer Scrooge in the upcoming dark fantasy film Ebenezer marks his first major studio project since the trial. Some fans argued that Depp’s potential return to the Pirates films would set a harmful precedent.

Johnny Depp dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow on stage, embodying his role in a blockbuster franchise.

Jesse Grant/Getty Images

“But allegations ruin men’s lives, right?” one X user sarcastically said.

A second wrote, “Insane of Disney (but not shocking), considering the top reason they stopped making Pirates movies at all was because he was such a nightmare to work with.”

Several users also criticized Robbie for her rumored involvement in what they viewed as a comeback vehicle for Depp, especially given the actress’ feminist public image.

Tweet expressing concern about a rumored Margot Robbie role in a blockbuster franchise, featuring Jack Sparrow.

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One person said, “Genuinely am side-eyeing any person that participates in a film with that man. Disgusting.”

“You made a supposedly feminist movie three years ago, and now you’re working with Johnny Depp while being in a position where you could choose not to do it?” another added.

Margot Robbie’s other blockbuster sequel stalls over contract negotiations

Margot Robbie smiling for the camera, amidst discussions about her rumored role in a blockbuster franchise.

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News of Robbie’s potential involvement in the Pirates franchise comes days after reports that the Barbie sequel had stalled.

The 2023 film, which cast the 36-year-old actress in the titular role, was a smash hit, grossing $1.448 billion at the global box office.

Tweet suggesting Johnny Depp should remain the main character for the blockbuster franchise, not Margot Robbie.

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Despite the sequel being in development as early as December 2024, Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and director Greta Gerwig were only under contract for one film.

In July, The New York Times reported that negotiations with the trio had begun, but Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav had refused to meet their salary demands.

Margot Robbie as Barbie, in a white cowboy hat and pink bandana, sparking rumors about a blockbuster franchise role.

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A subsequent Variety report claimed that Robbie, Gosling, and Gerwig had all rejected at least six offers from the studio.

Additionally, the rights to the Barbie property are expected to revert to Mattel if a sequel isn’t greenlit by December 2026.

The Pirates of the Caribbean movies are streaming on Disney+.

“You’re all scarily obsessed with him”: Fans react to Johnny Depp’s potential Jack Sparrow return

Tweet from a fan worried about Jack Sparrow becoming a side character in a blockbuster franchise, with Margot Robbie rumored.

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Anoop's tweet about the rumored role of Margot Robbie, referencing Indiana Jones in a blockbuster franchise.

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Hot Celebs R' Us' tweet about Margot Robbie's rumored role, mentioning Disney and a Captain in the franchise.

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CobraEagle42's tweet commenting on the obsession surrounding Margot Robbie's rumored role in the blockbuster franchise.

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Paula Vazquez's tweet celebrating the dream collab of Harley Quinn and Captain Jack Sparrow for Margot Robbie's rumored role.

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Altaf Tweet's tweet about Margot Robbie's rumored role, stating different face, different story, but never the same Jack Sparrow.