Emmy-winning actress Ayo Edebiri recently revealed that she received an overwhelming amount of racial slurs and death threats due to a false report amplified by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The controversy began in February 2024 when Musk shared a fabricated claim that Disney was considering Edebiri as Johnny Depp’s replacement in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Musk reacted to the fake news by criticizing Disney, posting “Disney sucks” on X (formerly Twitter). Although the report had no truth to it, Musk’s engagement with the claim led to a wave of online harassment directed at Edebiri.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Edebiri took to Instagram, writing:


Edebiri’s post referenced Musk’s widely criticized hand gestures at a political event, which many interpreted as resembling the Nazi salute.

Bill Burr’s Take on Musk

Before calling out Musk directly, Edebiri praised comedian Bill Burr for his scathing remarks about the X owner during an NPR Fresh Air interview. Burr openly criticized Musk, calling him “evidently a Nazi” and mocking his appearance, stating:


Burr didn’t hold back, further describing Musk as an “idiot” with “dyed hair plugs and a laminated face” while dismissing X as an “obsolete social media platform.” He also questioned why liberals feared Musk, adding, “Why are we so afraid of this guy who can’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag?”

Edebiri responded to Burr’s takedown with a bullseye emoji, showing her agreement before directly addressing Musk’s role in the hateful backlash she received.

The Truth About Pirates of the Caribbean’s Future

Despite the rumors Musk spread, there is no Pirates of the Caribbean movie in development featuring Edebiri. However, producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed last year that a reboot of the franchise is in the works, with Dead Men Tell No Tales writer Jeff Nathanson leading the script.

Bruckheimer expressed enthusiasm about the project, particularly praising the third act of the script while noting that improvements were still needed in the first two acts.

As for Johnny Depp, his return as Captain Jack Sparrow remains uncertain. While Bruckheimer personally supports Depp’s involvement, the reboot approach suggests that the franchise may be moving in a different direction.


What’s Next for Ayo Edebiri?

Edebiri, best known for her role in The Bear, is set to appear in A24’s upcoming horror film Opus, which hits theaters on March 14.

Despite facing unwarranted online attacks, Edebiri continues to rise in Hollywood, proving that misinformation and hate won’t slow her down.