Disney is gearing up for production on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides . In recent weeks we’ve seen several significant announcements including the casting addition of Penelope Cruz and the selection of a shooting location in Hawaii. Now, we have one more casting addition in the form of Ian McShane (Deadwood, Hot Rod) who will play the role of Blackbeard.
As we know, the fourth installment is based on the book “On Stranger Tides” by Tim Powers, hence the film’s title. The story involves a pirate named Jack (Sparrow), the Fountain of Youth and the infamous Blackbeard, some of which were long-speculated story points for the next movie in the franchise. Disney optioned the book to use it as a basis for their next Pirate adventure and you can see the synopsis for the novel below to get an idea of what the movie may include.
Puppeteer John Chandagnac, bound for Jamaica to recover stolen money from his uncle, becomes Jack Shandy after pirates attack his ship and force him to join their crew. Shandy’s struggle to accept his new life grounds the story for readers, even as Blackbeard and vodun magicians whisk everyone away to dreamlike lands where the Fountain of Youth itself awaits. The chaotic sea battles sing, though at times key events happen so quickly that they get lost in the shuffle as Jack tries to comprehend where he’s going and what’s at stake.
I think McShane is a perfect choice for the role, not only for his very unique and distinctive facial features, but for his great voice acting ability. In addition to acting in many films and television series,’ McShane has voiced characters in many films ranging from the Third, Coraline, Kung Fu Panda all the way to an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. Awesome.
Blackbeard's Costume - Click to Enlarge
What do you think of the choice for the famous pirate Blackbeard?
Rob Marshall is directing Pirates 4 off a script by Terry Rossio and Ted Elliot. Jerry Bruckheimer is of course producing again. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is slated to sail into theaters on May 20, 2011 and will start production this summer.
Source: THR
Blackbeard art by Chris Guldager
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Again… All I can hear is “Your a Panda!”
I think he will do fine as BB.
kudos to the casting for this film
Nice bit of casting.
It looks like this movie is going into the right direction now!. That is very smart of you, Disney, and Bruckheimer to cast Ian Mcshane as Blackbeard!. Nice move you made there!.
All sounds good to me
Beyond perfect……( his voice was the best thing about ” The Golden Compass and stole every scene he was in with regards to “Death Race”) He was sometimes terrifying in Deadwood, and he became quickly one of my favorite actors. Mr. Teach had some grace and class for a Pirate, and Ian will mimic that perfectly. With Ms. Cruz…….(insert pic of her in Pirate garb here………..sigh) this idea for a 4th installment actually sounds like a great idea! Let's hope he does not get killed off.
Nobody can swear like Swearingen (Deadwood). He's shown he can chew up the scenary and spit nails like none other. Not a stretch at all for him to play another famously Bad A_ _ character like Blackbeard. Fact that he's a Brit will also help make his accented growling dialogue sound quite authentic. A good match for Geoffrey Rush's Barbosa.
Pretty actors whose acting skills may not be of the highest calibre (you know who I mean, Orlando) being replaced by skilled character actors who look a LOT more like pirates. And if you want sex appeal, I think Ms. Cruz has it all over Ms. Knightley, lovely as she is.
In other words, GREAT casting! This is shaping up nicely.
Yeah I didn't like the idea, but I can second most here. This is looking good. Im not a Cruz fan, but I think she could do well and McShane looks like he will be perfect for blackbeard.
I think he will make a great Black Beard! He already has the scary look! I dunno I am kind of looking forward to this one! I hope it turns out to be good!
arrrr, avast ye landlubbers! ALL ABOARD!
I knew of him from a couple other projects, but after reading his bio on IMDB – he's perfect, perfect for Blackbeard, I was worried they'd get some wimpy guy for a while, they needed to get Blackbeard right – now if they can just get the right co-stars – I nominate Alan Rickman for the creepy guy in the book, or maybe the creepy father.
i think they should tie in orlando bloom in there somewhere!
Ian McShane is perfect, he was amazing in Death Race, amazing voice actor, him along with Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and even the sexy Penelope Cruz, looks like Pirates 4 is shaping up to be the best in the series.
This is good news. I wasn't familiar with him until I did a little IMDB search but now I realize he's been here all along… Haha I liked him in Hot Rod and all of his animated voice work as well. Sounds like the fourth installment will be good, or at least better than the third (which isn't hard to do)
Yeah, this movie is definately going to be the best movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean series!. I Can't wait for it!.
I could'nt agree with you more there. I bet Ian McShane is going to play as the pirate Blackbeard very well !. I can't wait t see Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, and Ian McShane all in the same movie. it's going to be very entertaining to see!.
Yeah, this movie is definately going to be the best movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean series!. I Can't wait for it!.
I could'nt agree with you more there. I bet Ian McShane is going to play as the pirate Blackbeard very well !. I can't wait t see Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, and Ian McShane all in the same movie. it's going to be very entertaining to see!.
Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley said they think there characters are pretty much tied up now so wont return im afraid
I was delighted to hear that my two main men (Keith Richards AND Ian McShane) are both cast in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Couldn't have picked a better Blackbeard! Can't wait!
LilPeep2u
I was delighted to hear that my two main men (Keith Richards AND Ian McShane) are both cast in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Couldn't have picked a better Blackbeard! Can't wait!
LilPeep2u
Ian McShane as Blackbeard = perfect casting. He'll burn the screen to a pulp. I can't wait.
Ian McShane as Blackbeard = perfect casting. He'll burn the screen to a pulp. I can't wait.
All I can think of is Lovejoy. Oh dear.