JOHNNY DEPP - DEPP'S DEPARTURE RUMOURS 'UNFOUNDED'

DEPP'S DEPARTURE RUMOURS 'UNFOUNDED'

Movie bosses have blasted reports JOHNNY DEPP is set to abandon ship - he isn't quitting the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN film franchise.
The actor sparked speculation he'll be replaced in his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in future instalments after telling the Los Angeles Times his enthusiasm for the movies had declined following the departure of Disney chairman DICk Cook, who recruited the star for the films.
He said, "There's a fissure, a crack in my enthusiasm (for the project) at the moment. It was all born in that office.”
But a spokesperson for Disney insists Depp has not backed out of the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, branding the rumours "completely unfounded".
The new movie is slated for a summer 2011 release.