Depp Scoops Biggest Ever Up-front Payout For Pirates 4

The big-money deal will make Hollywood history as the highest up-front payment ever - overshadowing the $53.65 million (GBP29 million) Tom Hanks was offered to star in the forthcoming The Da Vinci Code sequel, Angels + Demons.

But a movie insider insists Disney Studio bosses - who are behind the hugely successful franchise - would pay anything to keep Depp on their books.

The source tells Britain's Daily Mail newspaper, "There's only one Johnny Depp. They simply cannot make another Pirates movie without Jack Sparrow.

"The first three films have earned $2.7 billion (GBP1.46 billion) at the box office. It's no surprise that Disney executives want Jack back and they are willing to pay big bucks to get him."

However, it is unlikely Depp's co-stars Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley will return to star in another sequel.

Knightley, who played Elizabeth Swann in the adventure trilogy recently said: "I think it was wonderful and an amazing opportunity and those films were just extraordinary and I was extremely lucky to be a part of them. But no. I think my pirating days may be over."