That was definitely the case for Johnny Depp in the 2000s — he headlined period films, fantasies, thrillers, and biographical dramas. 2003 also marked a milestone in Depp's career, with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Johnny Depp Was Not First Pick for 'Pirates of the Caribbean'A handful of A-list actors were considered to play Captain Jack Sparrow before Depp. After screening for 28 weeks, The Curse of the Black Pearl grossed $654.3 million globally against its $140 million budget. The Odyssey has grossed $683.1 million after 12 days, but that momentum could stall, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day launching this weekend.