Actor Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow is one of the most memorable characters, and performances of Depp’s, in the last two decades. The charming yet arrogant pirate captain first sailed onto screens in  (2003), and over the franchise’s 14-year history, it became Depp’s most commercial film performance to date.

The Jack Sparrow legacy would end up marred by the actor’s legal battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard. Through the industry fallout and firing from roles, Depp has ended up leaving Hollywood behind, opting for a quieter pace in the United Kingdom — and he’s letting people know why in a surprising new interview.

Johnny Depp is one of the world’s most beloved Hollywood stars. From early career beginnings in the 1980s and 1990s, where he began collaborating with director Tim Burton, Depp became a household name after appearing in The Walt Disney Company and Jerry Bruckheimer’s  franchise.

Over the years, the actor has played Jack Sparrow in five blockbuster movies, , but has also lent his acting talents to other global successes like  (2005) and  (2010), both by Tim Burton. More recently, the  (1990) star appeared as the main antagonist in the  spinoff movies  (2015) and  (2016). Depp was replaced with  actor Mads Mikkelsen for the third installment in J.K. Rowling’s  franchise.

The recasting of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald came around when Disney also let Depp go from his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in . Both of these incidents, as well as the actor’s overall exile from the film industry, came after Depp lost his libel trial against News Group Newspapers LTD in 2020. Justice Andrew Nicol of the London High Court ruled in favor of the British tabloid , after they called Depp a “wife-beater.”

The claim came after allegations of domestic violence from Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard.  that the alleged domestic abuse claims were “substantially true” in 2021, leaving his return to  all but dead in the water.

Despite such strong claims, and , Depp’s fanbase has remained strong — if not stronger than before.  have often trended online since the legal battle began between Depp and Heard. While the libel case in London fell through for Depp, the defamation lawsuit waged on the homefront in Fairfax County, Virginia, .

The jury, overseen by Judge Penney Azcarate, found that Heard had defamed Depp with her  Op-Ed. While they also found Depp had defamed the DC actress through comments made by Depp’s then-lawyer, .

Now, months after the highly-publicized six-week trial, , where a quieter life is paramount.

Speaking to , the 59-year-old actor detailed why he has chosen to spend his time on his 850-acre, £13 million mansion in the south of England. Depp :

“I just love places with character. British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbour — without going over the top. I like going to places, seeing things and meeting people — but I’m not the great extrovert that people think.”

The  film star added:

“In truth, I’m quite a shy person. That’s one of the great things about Britain, and especially Somerset. I can just be me — and that’s nice. I can go into shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies. I don’t mind that up to a point, but sometimes it gets a little too crowded.”

Depp indeed has a fondness for the United Kingdom and other countries in Europe. Amid the defamation lawsuit, Depp surprised concert-goers in Sheffield, England, . He would later  with the musician throughout his UK tour.

This could confirm Depp’s unlikelihood of heading back to the lights and cameras of Hollywood, meaning his return as Jack Sparrow may never happen. After years of litigation, his return as Jack Sparrow would be one of the most talked about events in history and would destroy the quiet life Depp so clearly wants.

Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow

As for his future as Jack Sparrow, a sixth, seemingly defunct  movie starring Margot Robbie , leaving the door open for Depp’s return. That said, there have been no confirmations from Disney, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer . And even if Disney does want to move forward with Depp, they may have a hard time getting the actor on board as he revealed his hurt during the trial last year —