Johnny Depp dresses up as Captain Jack Sparrow to visit children in hospital – after star was welcomed back to Pirates of the Caribbean franchise following Amber Heard abuse allegations

Johnny Depp reprized his famous role of Captain Jack Sparrow to put a smile on children’s faces on Thursday.

The actor, 61, played the lead character in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series and thrilled young people at Donostia University Hospital in San Sebastián when he got back into character to pay them a visit.

In a statement from Osakidetza-Basque Health Service, they revealed that the Hollywood legend brought joy to the hospital as he “talked, played and laughed with the children.”

Johnny – who is promoting his directorial role Modi at the San Sebastian Film Festival – is also said to have stayed in character the entire time so as not to ruin the illusion.

The beautiful images in the department showed Johnny happily posing for photos with the children and rocking the babies in the Pediatrics and Oncology department.

The statement continued: “They laughed and shared anecdotes, and he helped them forget for a few minutes the difficulties they are currently going through.

“It was a gift that brought joy to patients, families, nurses, physicians and all the staff working in the department at the time.

‘From Osakidetza, and especially from all the staff of Donostia University Hospital, we would like to express our infinite gratitude to Johnny Depp for his time, his support and his energy. He has been a breath of fresh air for the entire department. ‘

This isn’t the first time Johnny has used his Disney character to spread joy.

In 2022, he dressed up as Captain Sparrow to send a sweet message of support to a fan amid his battle with a terminal heart condition.

The actor surprised 13-year-old YouTuber Kori with a video message and a phone call as Captain Jack Sparrow, telling him: “I wish you the best of luck, I’m your biggest fan Captain Kori, all my respect and love.”

Kori has reportedly had two heart transplants and is in palliative care, but wants to gain as many subscribers as he can while he can, which Johnny has helped him with.

His decision to return to character comes after he was welcomed back into the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Screenwriter and producer of the stalwart franchise Terry Rossio told DailyMail.com in July that now that Johnny has cleaned up his act, he would be welcomed back with open arms.

In an exclusive interview, Terry said he “wouldn’t even hesitate” to get Johnny back on set, despite the allegations of abuse and alcoholism against the actor.

Terry, 63, said casting the controversial Hollywood star is “not the problem” for a sequel – it’s finding the right script, the right co-stars and the right finances to continue the Disney franchise, which has raised more than $4.5 billion worldwide.

Speaking exclusively to camera at the premiere of his new film Protocol 7, Terry said of the actor: ‘Johnny is loved. I wouldn’t even hesitate about Johnny Depp.’

‘Johnny Depp is not the problem. The question is: is there a story worthy? Is the script good? Is this easy to direct? Can the finances for this be worked out? Those are the problems. The issue has nothing to do with Johnny.”

Terry, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Shrek, added that Disney should not only look at Johnny’s return but try to bring back the main cast from the original Oscar-nominated debut film Dead Man’s Chest.

When asked how far Disney bosses have gotten in their revival plans, Rossio pleaded ignorance, saying, “Oh my god, I have no inside information. I’m sorry, I can’t say.’

But he went on to note that other factors are likely to hold back the reboot, and that it could sometimes take more than a decade for the desired films to get made.

“For example, the Indiana Jones movie was like that,” he said. ‘Everyone wanted it, but it took about fifteen or sixteen years before it came about.

‘There are a lot of forces at play in terms of… scheduling, availability, finances, creative control, the location of the studio, the planets have to align in every film. It’s a wonder anything ever gets done.’

Last year, franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer talked about his hopes to have Johnny back as Sparrow, but he never confirmed that Disney was on board.

Terry’s comments will delight fans as many called for him to return after winning his defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard.

The actor told the trial, questioned by his own lawyer, that Disney dropped him from the sixth film after Amber accused him of being a wife beater.

But a Virginia jury found that Johnny demonstrated elements of defamation for Amber’s statements in her 2018 Washing Post op-ed. They decided that Amber’s statements were false and that she defamed Johnny with actual malice.

The Jack Sparrow actor enjoyed a five-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival for his 2023 film Jeanne du Barry, in which he stars as the former King of France Louis XV.