Johnny Depp is set to earn a staggering £32-million for 'Pirates Of The Caribbean 4'.

The 45-year-old star, who will reprise his role as swashbuckling seafarer Captain Jack Sparrow in the latest film in the hit franchise, will over take Will Smith to become the richest Hollywood actor after he receives the highest ever up-front pay out.

A film source said in The Daily Star: "It's a hell of a lot of swag for one movie but there's only one man who can play Captain Jack Sparrow — and that's Johnny Depp.

"Pirates just wouldn’t be the same without him, so they were more than willing to smash record books to land Depp again.

"He’s been the star of the show every time."

However, it has been revealed that co-stars Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are unlikely to star in the upcoming fourth instalment.

The insider added: "It's early stages in the casting process but the chances are that Orlando and Keira won’t be featuring in this one."