McShane and His Black Beard to Take On PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

Swearengen on the high seas.  Now that sounds like a good idea.  Disney thought so, too, as, according to The Hollywood Reporter,  Ian McShane is in negotiations to play the villain for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES.  McShane will be taking on the role of Blackbeard, probably the most notable, real pirate in history.

McShane will be joining a cast that already includes the returning Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Penelope Cruz, who will be playing Sparrow’s love interest/equal in the film.  The story is to revolve around the quest for the Fountain of Youth.

This is great casting, as McShane is continuing his growing popularity in these days of DEADWOOD’s wake.  There is no word on whether Geoffrey Rush will be returning as Barbossa, but, if he doesn’t, McShane seems a likely candidate to fill that void.

CHICAGO and NINE director Rob Marshall is stepping in as director on the film which will begin shooting this coming Summer.  PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES is set to be released on May 20th, 2011.