Johnny Depp could return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise after winning his highly publicised defamation case, according to a former Disney executive.

The speculation comes after Depp lost the well-known role after his ex-wife Amber Heard published an op-ed in which she called herself a “public figure representing domestic abuse”.

WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Close friend to Johnny Depp talks his return to Disney

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Depp won his libel case against Heard on Thursday after a six-week trial in Virginia – and there’s since been speculation around whether he might return to Disney.

“I absolutely believe post-verdict that Pirates is primed for rebooting with Johnny as Capt Jack back on board,” a former Walt Disney Studios executive told People.

“There is just too much potential box-office treasure for a beloved character deeply embedded in the Disney culture.

“With [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer riding high on the massive success of Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, there is huge appetite for bringing back bankable Hollywood stars in massively popular franchises.”

Depp has played Captain Jack Sparrow for the last five Pirates films, earning an Oscar nomination for the original 2003 movie.

7NEWS.com.au has reached out to Disney for comment.

‘Not very likely’

Despite the promising remarks from the former Disney exec, a second Hollywood insider told the publication it is “not very likely” Depp would return – suggesting Australian actress Margot Robbie, 31, will take over as lead.

The franchise’s producer Bruckheimer has said they are “developing two Pirates scripts – one with [Robbie] and one without,” according to The Sunday Times.

“I would think they make [Robbie] his daughter and likely have a cameo with him as a test.”

According to Bruckheimer, the film is unlikely to be released until 2025.

Following the verdict in favour of Depp, Robert Vale spoke with Court TV about his friend’s potential future with Disney.

Vale worked with Depp on the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

“He needs to find a script with a great character that he can develop, and my professional opinion is Disney should sign him right now – otherwise they’ll get him later at a higher price,” Vale said.

However, it’s unclear if Depp would return, considering he claimed during his court testimony that Disney executives treated him as “guilty until proven innocent”.

In the trial, Tina Newman from Walt Disney Studios was asked if the company was aware of Depp’s previous testimony that he would not return for a Pirates of the Caribbean role for “$300 million and a million alpacas”.

Newman said no, and that “Disney did not entertain” paying Depp more than this amount.

WATCH THIS MOMENT IN THE VIDEO BELOW: Johnny Depp laughs as attorney asks if Disney would give him 1 million alpacas

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