Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp has been given a custom piece of artwork showing his fan-favorite character Captain Jack Sparrow in the style of One Piece, drawn by the anime’s creator Eiichiro Oda.
Depp was presented with the artwork, printed on a Japanese door curtain, by Hiroaki Hirata — the actor who dubs Jack Sparrow in the country, and who also voices One Piece’s Sanji.
During a brief appearance on stage at Tokyo Comic Convention 2025, Hirata told Depp that he had “got this designed by my comic artist friend.” Grinning, Depp commented: “I just want to cover myself in it,” before disappearing behind the curtain and popping back out again.
Johnny Depp made an appearance onstage today at Tokyo Comic Convention 2025. Hiroaki Hirata, the VA for Sanji and Depp’s JP dub actor, appeared, “I have a friend who draws a certain manga about pirates..,” before presenting Depp with noren curtain of Jack Sparrow drawn by Oda!!😍 pic.twitter.com/LIGJJD4lXx
— sandman (@sandman_AP) December 7, 2025
Depp then wrapped up his appearance by thanking fans for their ongoing support. “I feel as though there are more of you than there are, but that could just be part of my brain or maybe I’m lying in a hospital bed ill and none of this is happening, I don’t know,” Depp said. “But while it’s happening, while I’m experiencing seeing all of these faces out here, thank you, thank you, for your respect, your love.”
After a number of years away from the spotlight following his high-profile legal issues with former wife Amber Heard, Depp has been linked to a string of projects as the actor seeks a career comeback. In October, it was reported that Depp would play Ebenezer Scrooge in a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved A Christmas Carol for Paramount Pictures, due to release on November 13, 2026.
Assuming everything goes as planned, Depp’s role as Scrooge will be his first major booking since 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Depp has also said he’s working on creating the character of Hyde for a new graphic novel with Ridley Scott, and will next be seen in cinemas alongside Penélope Cruz in Lionsgate’s American action thriller Day Drinker, which carries a 2026 release date.
But, of course, it’s Depp’s iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean which fans are most keen to whether the actor will reprise. And, as long-gestating plans for a sixth entry in the swashbuckling blockbuster series finally begin to materialize, there’s fresh signs that Depp could return.
Back in August, producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed he had spoken to Depp about returning as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 — and it sounded like the actor was interested. “If he likes the way the part’s written, I think he would do it,” Bruckheimer said. “It’s all about what’s on the page, as we all know.”
There have been encouraging words from Depp’s former cast members, too. In June, Orlando Bloom, who plays blacksmith-turned-pirate Will Turner in the franchise, said: “I personally think it’d be great to get the band back together. That would be great, but there are always different ideas, and so we’ll see where it lands.” For now, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 currently lacks any kind of formal announcement or release date.
Image credit: Jun Sato/WireImage via Getty.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
