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Why The Gig Is Over

SOLVED!

[Blind Gossip] A little insight as to why this star definitely won’t be returning to their gig.

You probably think it is because they have behaved obnoxiously… or because they have worn out their welcome… or because they insulted someone… or because producers or costars don’t want to work with them anymore.

Nope. It’s much simpler than that!

It’s money. The insurance would be too astronomical. It’s just a bad financial risk to keep them. They’ll find a replacement who is easier to insure. And younger.

There you go.

Similar: I Dare You To Fire Me

Star:

[Optional] Is it good or bad that they are being replaced?

SOLVED!

Star: Johnny Depp

We told you exactly two months ago that a major star was going to be replaced in his gig because of money issues.

Now we have confirmation that the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise will go on… but star Johnny Depp is going to be replaced!

From The Hollywood Reporter:

Disney’s Film Prodution Chief Talks ‘Mary Poppins’ and His Big Bet on ‘The Lion King’: “It’s a New Form of Filmmaking”

Sean Bailey is reimagining Disney classics like ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Dumbo’ with a possible reboot of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ sans Johnny Depp in the works: “We want to give it a kick in the pants.”

Bailey, who oversees a staff of 100 in Burbank, sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss the opportunities offered by Disney’s upcoming streaming service and the future of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise without Johnny Depp.

…

Q: You’ve hired Deadpool scribes Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick to work on a possible Pirates of the Caribbean reboot. Can Pirates survive without Johnny Depp?

A: We want to bring in a new energy and vitality. I love the [Pirates] movies, but part of the reason Paul and Rhett are so interesting is that we want to give it a kick in the pants. And that’s what I’ve tasked them with.

So, there you have it. Confirmation that Pirates of the Caribbean will go on, but without Johnny Depp.

Notice how both THR and the Disney chief just glossed over Depp’s dismissal? THR was not going to embarrass Disney Man by asking exactly why Depp was out, and both focused on the reboot. That’s Hollywood, folks!

While alcoholic/drug addict/abusive/accident-prone actors involved in multiple lawsuits are poor insurance risks, Disney Man wisely skipped the discussion about the completion bond and pivoted immediately to how hiring new writers would bring new energy and vitality to the franchise.

Disney will pick someone younger – and less messy – to take on the lead role in the reboot.

Perhaps a female pirate?

Congratulations to Macmac for being first with the correct response!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. woodwn says

    Johnny Depp is 55 at this point. I can see the franchise costing a lot in insurance.
    Honestly, he made the movies. They are good, but he created Jack completely different from what they originally wanted, and that was what hooked the audience. It’s dead in the water without him.

  2. deepsigh says

    I don’t like Megyn Kelly and knew she would crash and burn the moment the hire was announced. But uninsurable? No way this blind is about her.

  3. Marvella says

    Why would Kelly be hard to insure? This must be Johnny Depp and the Pirates franchise. He’s a wild card.

  6. bec215d says

    It’s incredibly depressing that the ONLY reason Depp is out is the cost to insure him. There are so many other reasons he SHOULD be out, but this is why H’wood has become such a cesspool: revenue trumps violence, addiction, anger, mental illness, non-existent work ethic …. literally everything.

  8. Kellikopter says

    I though this was about Megan Kelly at first glance but she poses no insurance risk. Now I’m positive it’s about Johnny Depp. He was axed from Pirates because they’re supposedly “reimagining” the franchise. I wouldn’t insure him either after reading headlines over the last several years, plus that Rolling Stone interview was atrocious.

  9. luvprue1 says

    Actor: Johnny Depp

    The insurance on him is to the roof especially considering his age,and recent drug problem.

  17. kitkat7 says

    Depp.

    He made the role his own, and the role is a big part of the films. Good that he’s being replaced, bad that they’re dragging out this old, tired franchise.

  20. pflower says

    Ben affleck as batman. It’s definitely a good thing he is out. He is a disgrace and looks gross, not what you expect from a great character like batman

  40. Jemsapphiree says

    Johnny Depp

    As much as i love captian jack sparrow, maybe a change would be good for the franchise

  49. Conchord says

    Star: Daniel Craig (James Bond)

    I guess since he’s over 50 now, insurance is too expensive? That doesn’t seem to stop Tom Cruise from doing his own stunts in Mission: Impossible, but maybe he has more of a say in that franchise.

    • PhoenixRising says

      My guess with Tom Cruise is that he has the power of Scientology behind him, and a lot of people are very afraid of that cult.

  50. amagod121 says

    Johnny Depp as Cap’n Jack.Sparrow.

    Optional: Terrible idea! Johnny IS the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise! I mean, he IS a pirate: dirty, rotted teeth, scruffy, grubby hair, Keith Richard’s wardrobe, a bottle of rum by his side … no one plays pirate as well as Johnny! :’-(

  54. 5klp471 says

    I hope this is The Ice Queen, Megyn Kelly.

    Good or bad? There are certain lines you don’t cross in society. Just because others can, it doesn’t give a Carte Blanche to do so yourself. Be civil about it.

  59. TNSunny says

    Ben Affleck. He hasn’t hit bottom yet so the insurance company is correct to not want to insure him for the next Batman film. He’s made so many poor choices over the years I don’t have any sympathy left.

  62. CherryBomb27 says

    Johnny Depp- Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s both. Depp has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent years but Jack Sparrow is an iconic character. I just hope they don’t make bloom the lead now

    • PhoenixRising says

      Thank you! I think Depp is one of the best character actors ever, but his garbled speech in that franchise was so awful

  67. grozer says

    Johnny Depp, booted from the “Pirates” reboot. Guess his boozing is just as bad as it looks–good idea to replace him.

    RDJ went down this road too, though he came out the other side…

    • Mills007 says

      JD is older then RDJ when he got thru it,…i saw pics of JD he looks like he is sick, it wont surprise me to hear he has some illness, he looks bad and a shadow of his former “dirty lookself” he now just looks sick to me…

  70. lalove says

    Johnny Depp

    And I’m not fussed either way because I don’t know or care enough about what goes on with him and Amber Heard.

    • aimless spectator says

      Bingo. Completion bonding for films on the scale of Disney financing for each Pirates of the Carribean film is astronomical because of the immense budgets and prospects of loss, and he’s too high risk to afford.

  73. Wallcat says

    Megyn Kelly
    She was kind of obnoxious, so probably a good thing. I worry about where we’ll draw the line in terms of free speech and censorship though.

    • aimless spectator says

      The critical aspect of “insurance” is missing here. She’s not too expensive to issue a completion bond for simply because she’s shooting off her mouth.