How Johnny Depp’s axing from Pirates franchise will save millions

The star was given the chop by Disney after a slew of bad press in a move that’s tipped to revive the franchise — and save the studio millions of dollars.

Fans of the immensely popular Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise were shocked recently to learn that the series plans to move on with another new instalment, but this time without its lead, Johnny Depp.

However, it seems the move could be a multimillion-dollar save for the Mouse House, Fox News reports.

In addition to a slew of personal issues associated with the 55-year-old star as of late, Forbes reports that the studio could save close to $128 million by not including Depp’s iconic Captain Jack Sparrow character.

The outlet notes he received that much for appearing in the fifth instalment Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017.

Johnny Depp played pirate Jack Sparrow in the franchise.

That’s a hefty chunk of the film’s estimated $328 million budget, especially considering it only made $245 million in its key market, the US, according to Box Office Mojo.

While it was technically a successful movie, with its worldwide gross estimated at $1.13 billion, it’s still a far cry from what the franchise used to do in its heyday.

As a result, Disney seems to be setting a new course for the films’ sixth instalment by putting it in the hands of Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to breathe new life into the series.

In other words, fans can expect the sixth film to be drastically different from the previous five, with the biggest difference being the loss of Jack Sparrow.

The move is bold, but it’s a quick way to potentially save a third of the film’s budget by foregoing the inclusion of Depp in favour of some less expensive new blood.

MORE: Johnny Depp’s poor behaviour in Australia revealed

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp’s acrimonious split played out in the tabloids. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for PSIFF

In addition, it’s a good time for Disney to distance itself from the former star of the franchise. As previously reported, Depp is selling off a lot of real estate after a legal battle with his former business managers who he claims mishandled his money.

At the same time, he has been having an ongoing public feud with his ex, Amber Heard, after she accused him of domestic violence.

Depp, however, denies those claims. Still, it shines a negative light on the star, which Disney seems to be backing away from during a time when it desperately needs to change the 16-year-old swashbuckling franchise or risk seeing it sink forever.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission