An AI-generated video appears to show Johnny Depp inviting fans to a free pirate-themed party in front of Edinburgh Castle on Saturday. In the video, he promises to judge a costume competition and the winner will get the chance to be in the next Pirates of the Caribbean film.
The video was made as a joke, but an Edinburgh events account has shared it as genuine news. Hundreds of people say they’re coming. Some have booked train tickets and hired costumes. A nearby café has ordered 300 pirate cupcakes.
There is no party. Johnny Depp knows nothing about it.
Emergency meeting — role cards
A — The video creator
You made the video for a private group of friends. You thought everyone would recognise it as a joke.
- Explain what you did, and apologise for the confusion.
- You didn’t post it publicly and won’t accept all the blame.
- Offer to make a correction video.
- Suggest holding a real pirate party without the celebrity.
B — The Edinburgh events account owner
You shared the video without checking it. Your post said: “Confirmed! Johnny Depp is coming to Edinburgh!”
- Explain why you believed the video.
- Try to persuade the creator to help you put things right.
- You’ll publish a correction, but you’re worried about losing followers.
- You want to save the pirate party if possible.
C — The café owner
You believed the announcement, ordered 300 pirate cupcakes and paid for extra staff.
- Explain how the prank has affected you.
- Insist that the others correct the story immediately.
- Ask them to help you sell the cupcakes.
- You might host a small pirate event, but you can’t accommodate hundreds of people.
Your task
You have six minutes to agree on:
- How to tell everyone the truth.
- Whether a smaller pirate party can go ahead.
- What each person will do to help.
Video statement
Next, prepare a video statement to be released online explaining what happened and what you plan to do about it.