Pirates of the Caribbean workers stood down as ‘drunken sailor’ Depp undergoes treatment for alcohol problems

UP to 200 workers have been stood down from the set of Pirates of the Caribbean while Johnny Depp undergoes treatment for alcohol problems in the US.

Johnny Depp leaves Brisbane Airport earlier this month for treatment to a hand injury. He is also understood to be Picture: Annette Dew

UP to 200 workers have been stood down from the set of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales while Johnny Depp undergoes treatment for alcohol problems in the US.

The producers of the $250-million blockbuster have dramatically scaled back work on the movie’s Gold Coast sets as they wait for Depp to return and resume his starring role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Depp, 51, returned to Los Angeles on March 11 to undergo surgery on his right hand after injuring himself during what sources described as a “wild weekend bender” at motorcycle ace Mick Doohan’s luxurious Coomera property on March 7-8.

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Pirates 5 sources said worried family and Disney “big wigs” had gone to Depp’s home to push him into seeking help for his problems.

Depp’s older sister Christi Dembrowski is understood to be watching over him as he undergoes an “at home rehab program”.

Senior production sources said yesterday there was no question the ship would go down without its captain if Depp did not return.

“The film will be made and it will be made with Johnny,” a veteran production crew member said.

“Everyone wants to get back to work as soon as possible.

“The producers are hoping Johnny will get himself together, come back and get going again.”

Another source said that if necessary, the production would be mothballed until Depp returned.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean

“Jack Sparrow is Hollywood’s most commercially successful, original character of the past 15 years and the heart of the Pirates franchise,” he said.

“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.”

A spokesman for the production yesterday maintained Depp’s absence would not derail the project.

“Production will absolutely continue when he returns. Everyone will return when filming resumes,” he said.

The spokesman declined to comment on circumstances surrounding Depp’s injury or his rehab treatment.

The popular actor had been staying at Doohan’s waterfront mansion since he arrived on the Coast late last month to reprise his role as rum-loving pirate Sparrow.

As many as 200 workers could be axed from the production while Johnny Depp undergoes counselling for alcohol addiction.

“He was on a bender with mates at the house and apparently lost his cool — a la Russell Crowe — after he got into an argument with his wife on the phone,” a source said.

“He lashed out and hit a glass door and that’s how he hurt his hand and a couple of fingers.”

MEAA director of entertainment crew and sport, Mal Tulloch, said production was scheduled to resume in full on April 15, with some crew to return to work on April 10.