Ayo Edebiri, the Emmy-winning breakout star of The Bear, is reportedly in early talks to headline a major new chapter in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Multiple entertainment outlets and industry insiders have circulated the rumor since late January 2026 that Edebiri would play a central character named Anne — a fierce, quick-witted captain loosely inspired by the historical pirate Anne Bonny — who assembles a daring new crew for a globe-spanning treasure hunt filled with supernatural threats, betrayals, and high-seas action.
Although Disney has not issued any official confirmation, the rumor has gained significant traction due to several converging factors. The studio has openly acknowledged that multiple Pirates projects are in various stages of development following the mixed commercial and critical reception of Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) and the long-delayed departure of Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow after years of legal and public controversies. With no clear path forward for the original saga, executives have been exploring soft reboots, spin-offs, and entirely new crews — all while preserving the franchise’s signature blend of swashbuckling adventure, supernatural curses, and witty banter.
Edebiri’s rumored role would represent the boldest departure yet. Anne Bonny, the real 18th-century Irish pirate who disguised herself as a man, fought alongside Calico Jack Rackham, and became one of the few women to gain lasting notoriety in the Golden Age of Piracy, has long been a tantalizing but underused figure in pirate fiction. The character in the new film is said to draw heavily from Bonny’s documented defiance, resourcefulness, and refusal to conform to gender expectations, while adding modern layers of wit, moral complexity, and emotional depth that align with Edebiri’s established strengths.
The story outline being whispered about involves Anne inheriting a cryptic map from a dying mentor — a former pirate who once sailed with Blackbeard — that points to a legendary treasure rumored to grant the holder dominion over the sea itself. The catch: the treasure is guarded by an ancient, vengeful sea spirit tied to a centuries-old curse. Anne must assemble a ragtag crew of outcasts, including a disgraced naval officer, a cunning navigator with a hidden past, a boisterous gunner, and a mysterious young stowaway who knows more about the curse than she lets on. Their voyage takes them from the Caribbean to the fog-shrouded coasts of Ireland, the slave ports of West Africa, and the uncharted waters of the Pacific, with rival treasure hunters, the British Royal Navy, and the curse’s spectral enforcers all closing in.
Edebiri’s version of Anne is described as sharp-tongued, fiercely independent, and deeply skeptical of authority — traits that echo the actress’s breakthrough roles in The Bear (where she plays the quick-witted Sydney) and Bottoms (where she co-wrote and starred as a sarcastic, no-nonsense teen). Sources close to the project say the script leans heavily into her comedic timing while giving her room for dramatic weight, especially in scenes exploring Anne’s backstory: a woman who turned to piracy after escaping an abusive arranged marriage and refusing to live as property.
The film would mark Disney’s most significant attempt to refresh the franchise since the original trilogy ended. Previous efforts — including a Margot Robbie-led spin-off that never materialized and various Jack Sparrow-focused scripts — stalled due to creative differences, budget concerns, and uncertainty about the audience appetite after Depp’s exit. Edebiri’s involvement is seen as a strategic pivot: younger audiences already know and love her from The Bear, Big Mouth, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, while her critical acclaim and awards-season momentum (Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice wins) give the project instant prestige that earlier reboots lacked.
The tone is rumored to blend high-seas adventure with the witty banter and emotional grounding that made the first three Pirates films so successful. Expect practical ship battles, elaborate set pieces (including a rumored sequence involving a sinking ghost fleet), and a healthy dose of supernatural horror — but with a modern sensibility that centers female leadership, diverse representation, and a more nuanced take on colonialism and power.
No director has been publicly attached yet, though names like Cary Joji Fukunaga, Nia DaCosta, and the duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have surfaced in speculation. The budget is expected to land in the $180–220 million range, reflecting the franchise’s history of large-scale spectacle. Filming is rumored to begin in late 2026 in Malta, Australia, and the Caribbean, with a potential release window in summer 2028.
Fan reaction has been electric and divided. Many longtime Pirates viewers are thrilled by the prospect of a fresh start and a female-led story that honors the spirit of the originals without retreading old ground. Others remain skeptical, arguing that the franchise’s magic was tied to Depp’s Jack Sparrow and that replacing him with a new lead — even one as talented as Edebiri — risks alienating the core audience. Social-media discourse has already split into camps: those posting fancasts and mood boards for Anne’s crew, and those insisting “no Jack, no Pirates.”
Regardless of the debate, the rumor has reignited interest in a franchise that many had assumed was dormant. If Edebiri signs on and the project moves forward, The Last Witch Hunter — wait, no — Pirates of the Caribbean (working title still under wraps) could become the bold, female-fronted reboot that finally refreshes the brand for a new generation.
For now, the only certainty is the buzz. Ayo Edebiri as a sword-wielding, quick-witted pirate captain? The internet is already on board — and the high seas are looking more exciting than they have in years.
