Ever since Johnny Depp stripped bare and shaved off his beard, he’s had a bit of an identity crisis. Known across the globe for his ‘rockstar’ locks and permanently scruffy beard, Depp quite literally said ‘it’s out with the old and in with the new’, ditching his facial hair for a cleaner—albeit slightly off putting—new look.

However, now it appears the Pirates of the Caribbean star is having a tough time proving to fans that he is who he says he is. On 23 October 2022, a clip began circulating on the video-sharing platform TikTok. Shared by creator and Depp superfan, @myjohnnydepp_1, the actor is seen perched up against a wall, seemingly trying to convince an excited fan that he is in fact the man behind everyone’s favourite rum-loving pirate—the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow.

Almost instantly after hearing the characters name spoken, Depp launches into a spookily realistic imitation of his beloved character, slurring his words, donning a British accent, and mimicking Sparrow’s immediately recognisable mannerisms.

@deppfantastic

This is another video of Johnny spending time with Christine Kelly ( the wonderful lady that made us all cry when she met Johnny. @johnnydepp #johnnydepp #johnnydeppforever #johnnydeppsbigheart #beautifulsoul (credit to Christinekelly838)

♬ original sound - TammyDepp

While many netizens have shared their mutual confusion in regards to the self-proclaimed artist’s most recent visual transformation, others were equally shocked at how Depp could ever be mistaken for anyone else. Perhaps if he had been carrying a guitar, there would have been greater clarity?

One user wrote: “People saying it’s not Johnny… you do realise he shaves just like any other man on the planet right?”

There has been a barrage of conflicting claims over whether the actor will indeed reprise his role as Captain Sparrow in the franchise’s next film. During the highly-publicised trial between Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard, fans launched a Change.org petition addressed to Disney, pleading with the corporation to ensure the actor would be involved in Pirates of the Caribbean 6. These pleas, however, proved unsuccessful.

During the 2022 trial earlier this year, Depp testified that “nothing on this earth” would convince him to return to the franchise, let alone a company that had previously cut ties with him. It seems that, at least for the foreseeable future, fans may only get to enjoy the memory of their beloved Captain Jack Sparrow through the power of the internet.