Whatever will happen to Jack Sparrow now that Johnny Depp has been axed from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise?

According to News.com.au, the 55-year-old has been part of the movie for the past 15 years but will no longer be able to continue in upcoming movies.

Scriptwriter Stuart Beattie confirmed the news and told the press,

“I think he’s had a great run. Obviously, he’s made that character his own and it’s become the character he’s most famous for now.

“And kids all over the world love him as that character so I think it’s been great for him, it’s been great for us, so I’m just very, very happy about it.

“I think Jack Sparrow will be his legacy. It’s the only character he’s played five times, it’s the character he dresses up in to visit children in hospitals, it’s what he’ll be remembered for.”

“Before Jack Sparrow came along, (Depp) was considered this kind of quirky, independent actor that made these really cool little Tim Burton films, but he was by no means a movie star and a lot of people thought we were crazy for casting him at the time.

“Because he wasn’t a proven commodity; you know, a big movie star. And we were making a big movie and we were putting this quirky, independent actor in the middle of it and people thought we were crazy. The fact that it worked is a miracle.

“They were certainly nervous watching the rushes everyday but when it all came together, something just clicked and it was magic and connected with audiences. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Unfortunately, personal financial issues have led to this decision.

What do you guys think of Pirates of the Caribbean without Johnny Depp? What if someone else took on the role of Captain Jack Sparrow?