A recent report about Pirates of the Caribbean 6 that surfaced suggested that the film would revolve around Johnny Depp-portrayed Jack Sparrow‘s son. Naturally, this sparked negative reactions among fans of Depp’s eccentric, unpredictable pirate, who is synonymous with the franchise and the primary force behind its massive success. Notably, Disney has yet to make an official announcement about or reveal the release date for the sixth film.

Jack Sparrow’s son report draws similar reaction from fans

Prominent industry insider Jeff Sneider recently reported that Disney’s new CEO, Josh D’Amaro, and president, Dana Walden, are prioritizing the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise’s revival. He added that the sixth film — for which Oscar-nominated screenplay writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns was reportedly in discussions to write — may revolve around Jack Sparrow’s son and a lead female character, who would be essayed by Margot Robbie, who was originally expected to lead a spin-off film.

Sneider’s report has not been warmly received by fans, who have taken to social media to express their disinterest in the movie’s direction. They made it clear that they wouldn’t see the film if Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow weren’t in it.

This report comes shortly after Gore Verbinski, who helmed the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films, ruled out his return to the franchise. In an interview with Screenrant, the filmmaker stressed that he had nothing more to give the franchise beyond his work on the three films. He added that helming another film in a series he was familiar with would be “less interesting or less dangerous.”

Last year, producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed to Entertainment Weekly that they were working on the script for Pirates of the Caribbean 6. He stressed that they would make the movie if they got the “right screenplay.” At the time, he admitted that they had not reached the point where the screenplay felt right, but said that the creative team was “close.” Also in the interview, Bruckheimer said that Depp would reprise Jack Sparrow in the sixth film “if he [liked] the way the part [was] written.”