Johnny Depp has revealed that Disney bosses initially “couldn’t stand” his flamboyant portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, the actor said former chief executive Michael Eisner "couldn't stand" the way he interpreted the role.

However, studio execs didn’t always recognise the genius of the actor's out-of-leftfield take on the beloved antihero.

Depp went on to earn an Oscar nomination for his performance.

A Disney spokesman said the company "could not be happier" with his work.

"The entire team at Disney could not be happier with Johnny Depp's performances in the Pirates trilogy which is why we are so excited to be bringing back a fourth installment to audiences next summer," he added.

"I think it was Michael Eisner, the head of Disney at the time, who was quoted as saying, 'he's ruining the movie'," Depp said.

One suit, says the actor, even asked him if Captain Jack was "gay."

Depp recalls: "And so I actually told this woman who was the Disney-ite... 'But didn’t you know that all my characters are gay?' Which really made her nervous."

The actor also revealed that Mr Eisner had questioned whether he was "some kind of simpleton" or even drunk when acting in the movie.

Depp famously based the character on the Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, who appeared in At World's End, the third film in the series, following Dead Man's Chest, which also starred Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom.

Depp is currently filming a fourth installment - On Stranger Tides - which is due out next year.

Depp will next be seen opposite Angelina Jolie in The Tourist, which opens December 10.

Source: Press Release