- Primary Subject: Pirates of the Caribbean 6 (Sam Claflin Return Rumors)
- Key Update: Sam Claflin expressed 100% interest in returning as Philip Swift for the upcoming sixth film.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: November 11, 2026
- Quick Answer: Sam Claflin wants to reprise his On Stranger Tides role as Philip Swift in Pirates of the Caribbean 6, following open discussions about franchise returns.
After Johnny Depp revealed his one condition for reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, another familiar face may return for Pirates of the Caribbean 6.
Following the release of Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017, Disney confirmed the development of a sixth installment in the franchise.
With some of the original cast members expressing interest in returning, could fans finally see a reunion in Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
Who Else Could Return in Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
With the possibility of Pirates of the Caribbean 6 finally moving forward following Johnny Depp’s exciting update, Sam Claflin, who played Philip Swift in 2011’s On Stranger Tides, has expressed interest in reprising his role.
To recap, Philip is a young, idealistic English missionary who becomes a captive aboard Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, and develops a romantic connection with the captured mermaid Syrena (Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey).
After being wounded and confessing his love for Syrena, she pulls him underwater to heal him and grant him the ability to breathe beneath the sea.
Although Philip hasn't appeared in any subsequent films, could he return in Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
“100%. I think that was my first-ever film, and I think I’ve learned a lot in the industry since then,” Claflin told ComicBook. “I was a rabbit in headlights through that experience, so as much as I did have a lot of fun, I think I could have a lot more fun with it, and there’s obviously, as you pointed out, there’s so many ways you could go with that character.”
With Claflin now having more experience in major film franchises, like The Hunger Games, Enola Holmes, and Peaky Blinders, a potential return could give Philip's story another opportunity to unfold in the beloved pirate adventure series.
How Can Sam Claflin Reprise His Role in Pirates of the Caribbean 6?
While the fifth film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, didn't feature the return of Sam Claflin's Philip Swift, there's still a chance to revisit his unresolved storyline in Pirates of the Caribbean 6.
After being dragged underwater by Syrena, Philip's cliffhanger ending and romance could be picked up in the next installment, allowing his story to continue.
“Whether he’s now this sort of underwater merman type creature or whether he sort of himself has, after getting brokenhearted, has become someone who’s a pirate himself, I don’t know,” Claflin said.
It's also possible that he could join the reboot, as producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently confirmed that discussions are still underway and Disney is exploring new directions for the franchise.
“There are so many directions to go, and it’s such an incredible world,” the actor added.
If the sixth film eventually moves forward, iconic characters and fan-favorite supporting figures like Philip could return to continue their unfinished stories.
After all, whether or not he makes it into Pirates of the Caribbean 6, Claflin promised that he “will be watching.”