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Ian McShane to Play Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean 4

by Ethan Anderton
February 22, 2010

Following in the footsteps of Geoffrey Rush, Bill Nighy and Chow Yun-Fat as villains in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was always going to be quite an undertaking, but it looks like Rob Marshall found the right man for the job as THR reports that Ian McShane (Death Race, Hot Rod) will play the villainous, legendary pirate Blackbeard (or rather Edward Teach) in the fourth installment, On Stranger Tides. One of the most notorious and feared pirates, Blackbeard sailed the high seas in his trademark ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge. This is perfect casting and has me slightly more interested in the next Pirates adventure.

McShane joins Johnny Depp, who returns as Captain Jack Sparrow, and the recently announced Penelope Cruz who is "Sparrow's foil and equal in many ways." The story in this is based on Tim Powers' book, which focuses heavily on the Fountain of Youth that was hinted at in the conclusion of At World's End. With Rob Marshall at the helm, I think we can expect a different feel to the Pirates franchise this time, which is a decent idea since I was getting kind of frustrated with the nonsensical plot turns in the third installment, so maybe Marshall has some fresh ideas to kick off a new adventure. We'll have to wait and see. Thoughts?

Explore tags: Casting, Movie News, Opinions

Xerxex

Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz? that is awesome! I'm actually beginning to have faith in this film.
Darren

I think Paz Vega would have been a more interesting choice than Penelope Cruz if they wanted to go with a Spanish leading lady. But Ian McShane definitely looks like a pirate.
http://bellsouth.net Sean

This s the best news i've heard so far with Pirates 4, other then the fact that Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush will be returning too!. I'm also glad to see that Jerry Bruckheimer is returning to super-produce Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides. But this news about Blackbeard, is like a big wonderful suprise!. Now i see that disney and bruckheimer know what their doing and are not fooling around like they did with Pirates 2 and 3.
Klaus_Komix

So far awesome casting for Pirates 4 and far superior acting to the first 3 combined. Ian McShane is an incredible actor. Check out his performance as a king in the modern world on the short lived NBC series "Kings."
Daniel Felts

Ya ok. I'll bite.
John

POTC + Ian McShane - Orlando Bloom = awesomeness.
Al

cool.
Ricardo

I hope they throw in cames as never seen before lol... i think everyone would love if past characters starte showing up around the movie
Quaked

You all know of course that this will be in 3-D hahahahaha
David

Perfect casting here.
Anne

Maybe they'll also have a Keith Richards type cameo for Rupert from Survivor.
Cody

Seriously perfect casting..this makes me that much more excited to see it.
jjboldt

That is fantastic casting. The guy looks like a pirate already.
http://www.nicksears.com Nick Sears

He would be AWWWWWWESOME!
Zack

Best casting news of the month!
Chad

That is so ninja!
http://mycastingcall.blogspot.com karine ohayon

wow-great casting Depp+Cruz+Mcshane-Bloom=Brilliant can't wait for potc 4
Xerxex

@17 Bloom? Not Orlando Bloom right? Maybe you mean Geoffrey Rush?
http://mycastingcall.blogspot.com karine ohayon

minus bloom hes not in the film thank god sorry 4 the confusion and i dont think rush is in that film
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Didn't realize so many people hated Orlando Bloom?! I thought everyone hated Keira Knightley in these movies, not Bloom? I didn't have a problem with him, he wasn't that bad.
zero credibility

McShane and Depp is a win however you look at it.
napoleonblownapart

The Swear-engine always adds gravitas to whatever he does. Don't really have a problem with Bloom but he's a bit of a charisma free zone - kingdom of heaven would have been a much better film with a different lead, no?
DEADPOOL,MERC WITH A MOUTH

ian mcshane he was in a show could lovejoy in the u.k played an antiques dealer,he was the voice of the weight lifter charactor (can't think of his name.) in coraline.yeah he could be a good addition to the cast & with penelope cruz all i can say is your a lucky man mr johnny depp.
DoomCanoe

this is good news. and great casting choice
Cineprog

Ian Mcshane is good actor he first came to light here in the U.K has Lovejoy. He is a good additon to the film in Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides. Has Blackbeard.
tri na nog

Brilliant choice,might actually go to see this now,see Mcshane in Deadwood.
Nada Nuff

I like McShane, good casting. Can't wait for the trailer...toward the end of the year.
AC

question, if its about the fountain of youth, who should be cast as pounce de leon?
indyjack

according to folklore, Blackbeard was shot and stabbed twenty one times before he died. Then his head was cut off and his body was thrown overboard, and legend says his body swam around the ship queen anne's revenmge three times before he died. It will be intweresting to see how Disney mixes history into this story. I have very high hopes for this movie. Strong concept, Depp is back. Bloom is dead ( more or less) We have our heading!
http://bellsouth.net Sean

Alex, believe me, everyone hates both of them by now, not just one of them!.
Clover

Totally agree with Cred X............. 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) and the return of Johnny, this idea for a 4th installment actually sounds like a great idea! Let's hope he does not get killed off too soon as mentioned by indyjack. Maybe in POTC 5.
http://www.danjhuffman.com Dan

Five reasons this movie already rocks: 1. Based on Tim Power's book "On Stranger Tides" 2. No Bloom 3. No Knightly 4. Ian McShane is crazy 5. Penelope Cruz is possible the most beautiful woman on the known universe. Maybe now I can wash the taste of Pirates 3 out of my beard.
http://bellsouth.net Sean

Dan, Those five reasons you mention about Pirates 4 possibly being a good movie, i totally agree with you an all of them!. You are absolutely right!, and i couldn't agree with you more there!.Especially with reasons, 1, 4 and 5. And reasons 2 and3 yes to those too, but most with 1, 4 and 5, from what you said there in your comment!.
Xerxex

Alex I like both Bloom and Knightly but Elizabeth and William's characters are done, Will is immortal and can only come ashore every ten years and Elizabeth is immortal as well and waits for him, I can't see them being apart of this story, not after it was made clear that the captain of the Dutchman cannot touch land for ten years...well unless he stands in sea water in buckets.
SuicidalOptimist

Orlando Bloom acts with his eyebrows and has zero charisma. Keira Knightley is just plain annoying. The "replacement" casts are fantastic so far. I'm getting a bit excited for this movie.
Paul

# 23 - I think it was Bubinski. Great movie and character! McShane can do some amazing voices, he'll probably make a perfect pirate. He was on the Daily Show a while ago and he's a really cool, polite guy- surprising after getting used to him on Deadwood.
Merc

I absolutely agree with #35! The bizzare character that is Jack is what lured me to see the original, and I couldn't have cared less for Knightly or Bloom. Depp nailed it. And Ian McShane is brilliant. I want to see more Sparrow screen time.
mister pain

Death Race and Hot Rod are the films you note to prompt your readers to recognise Ian McShane? Wow...
http://bellsouth.net Sean

@#1, Yes me too!. Those two additions to Pirates 4 sounds like a great idea and plan!. I think Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush (if he's in Pirates 4), Penelope Cruz, and Ian McShane are perfect group of actors and actresses, to have starring in Pirates 4. Now i really want to see this movie more then ever, since they added Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz to the cast!. I looks like this movie is shaping up to be awesome!. I can't wait see it, i bet its going to be a great movie to see!, possibly to be as good as Pirates 1, or maybe even better then Pirates 1.
kee

McShane in Deadwood is incredible - this could almost sound like a pretty decent movie now!
http://bellsouth.net Sean

I'd say this movie is going to be way moe then decent!. I'd say its going to be Excellent!.
http://bellsouth.net Sean

The reason i'd say its going to be way more then decent, is because well, they will be trying to make it alot more like Pirates 1. It's going to be a great movie to see!.
lando

what the hell is Ron Jeremy doing up there?
Angelica Teach

what on earth......