Johnny Depp’s relaunch REVEALED: Truth about reprise of Captain Jack Sparrow role in Pirates Of The Caribbean reboot… the status of his romance with Amber Heard trial lawyer Joelle Rich… and plans for actor’s own brand of rum

The cheekbones are back. Just like a languid, stylish and much shorter haircut.

And while Johnny Depp still retains that signature rugged and tattooed charm, the overly scruffy – perhaps even grimy – look of recent months seems long gone.

Friends explain that Depp, 60, was on a “gap year” of sorts — more like two years, actually — after his painful 2022 lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

The court in Virigina ruled in Depp’s favor that Heard had defamed him on three counts with her allegations of domestic violence.

Sources say Depp felt euphoric about the verdict and although Heard won only one of her counterclaims, the lengthy trial clearly took its toll.

Depp largely disappeared from the spotlight, growing his hair long and gaining weight, while privately playing a lot of music (he is an accomplished guitarist) and dabbling in painting.

He traveled extensively, including to Saudi Arabia, where he made surprising – if not controversial – friendships with the kingdom’s royal family, who have since financially backed some of his film projects.

Friends explain that Depp was on a “gap year” of sorts — more like two years, actually — after his painful 2022 lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard. (Pictured last week).

He has also spent months at a time on his $5 million private Caribbean island, Little Parrot Cay, holed up with select friends.

A double tragedy then came with the unexpected sudden death of two close friends.

He was at the bedside of rock legend Jeff Beck when he died last January at the age of 78. Sources described the pair as ‘extremely close’ and said Depp was left ‘devastated’ by Beck’s death.

But there was little time for mourning as just ten months later Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan died after a long period of illness. Depp – who has spoken warmly of his ‘love’ for MacGowan – helped carry the singer’s coffin at his funeral.

That both Beck and MacGowan had suffered very public struggles with substance abuse was not lost on Depp, who – friends say – subsequently reexamined his own life.

Certainly, Depp’s two-year marriage to Heard had been incredibly self-destructive, with heavy drinking and ‘powders’.

Clearly it was time for a change, says a friend.

Hence last week’s ‘new look’, when he performed at the small London premiere for his new French film ‘Jeanne Du Barry’, showing off his fitter and toned appearance.

I’m told he turned to Odile Gilbert – one of Paris’ most famous hairdressers – to transform his wild locks.

He has also lost a significant amount of weight through a slow process of “being more aware, eating right and prioritizing his well-being,” sources say.

The timing of this makeover is no coincidence. Depp will be featured in an upcoming Dior campaign, reprising his role as their main spokesperson and face of their best-selling fragrance, Sauvage.

Depp hopes his transformation will be fully ‘complete’ by the autumn, with plans for major new commercial and film projects.

Friends even tease that fans might soon be able to get their hands on Depp’s own brand rum.

A drinks line would certainly contribute to the popularity of his most famous film character, Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise.

Friends tease that fans might soon be able to get their hands on Depp’s own brand rum. A drinks line would certainly contribute to the popularity of his most famous film character, Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise.

It can also be very lucrative – something Depp will no doubt have learned after the success of other famous alcohol brands.

As for Captain Jack Sparrow, the question on everyone’s lips is whether Depp will reprise the fan favorite role.

Until recently, Depp had all but sworn off acting and instead settled into a role behind the camera – as with his upcoming ‘Modi’ film (a biopic about Modigliani, directed by Depp and starring Al Pacino).

However, insiders are now saying that what was previously a ‘probably not’ has turned into a ‘yes’ – Depp shall returning to our screens.

As for reprising Jack Sparrow? It might be a company.

Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer – who is working with Disney on critically acclaimed plans for a reboot of the franchise – has said he would like to have Depp back, even in a cameo role. But would Depp himself agree with that?

There was a point when this was a flat out ‘no’. He even said in court that he wouldn’t take on the role again, even for $300 million.

Depp felt terribly hurt after production abruptly dropped him and cut all ties during his messy lawsuits with Heard.

But time heals, and Depp is now grateful for the fans who supported him. He certainly wouldn’t want to disrespect them by completely ruling out a return.

A friend says, “Johnny is always so touched by how much people love and resonate with the character, so anything is possible.” This all sounds much more like a yes than a no.

As for reprising Jack Sparrow? It might be a company. Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer has said he would like to have Depp back, even in a cameo role.

There is no talk of rekindling his romance with glamorous lawyer Joelle Rich, who represented Depp during his 2020 trial in London and also lives in north London.

He has also lost a significant amount of weight through a slow process of “being more aware, eating right and prioritizing his well-being,” sources say. (Pictured with Rich in 2020).

In the meantime, Depp is now mainly based in London, and also spends time in the south of France, where he owns a sprawling 37-acre estate.

In March last year he entered an antique shop in Lincolnshire (Great Britain) – by helicopter – and bought desks, guitars and other items to furnish a ‘new house in London’.

A friend from LA tells me that this new house was secretly purchased from another well-known celebrity some time ago.

The value is unknown, but I hear the property is in Hampstead – a highly sought-after area in the north of the city, particularly popular with celebrities. Depp’s neighbors include director Tim Burton, an old friend.

There is no talk of rekindling his romance with glamorous lawyer Joelle Rich – who represented Depp during his 2020 trial in London and also lives in north London.

The pair enjoyed a fleeting “entanglement” during the Virginia trial (in which Rich played no legal role). But friends now say Depp is “too busy” to consider serious romantic relationships, and that the relationship with Rich simply disappeared within weeks of the trial.

It seems he was happy to move on. And as he focuses on his triumphant return to the film industry, Dior’s upcoming fall campaign and perhaps even plans for his own branded beverage, fans can rest assured that there’s plenty more to come from Depp.