Production on the fifth movie in the series, which is being filmed in Australia, was put on hold for two weeks after Depp, who stars as Captain Jack Sparrow, hurt his hand and wrist in an off-set go-karting accident and flew back to America for treatment.

However, Depp's absence has now been extended to four weeks as the actor needed surgery to insert a pin into one of his fingers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The actor is now expected to return to Australia in mid-April (15) to get back to work.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, which also stars Geoffrey Rush and Javier Bardem, is scheduled for release in 2017.