Ian McShane to Set Sail in Pirates of the Caribbean?

Ian McShane, who starred as gruff entrepeneur and crime boss Al Swearengen in the HBO series Deadwood, is in talks to join Rob Marshall's upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The actor would be taking on the role of Blackbeard, the legendary pirate and Jack Sparrow's nemesis this go 'round. It appears that he and Sparrow will be dueling it out for control of the Fountain of Youth, a plot point which was set up during 2007's Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

McShane's most recent big screen effort was in the Brit crime thriller, 44 Inch Chest.

I'm on record as not much caring about the Pirates franchise, but At World's End was the one I liked the most. Adding McShane, who is one of the most reliably entertaining actors today, only makes me more interested. Even when he's not cussing up a blue streak, the guy's got gravitas that makes you hang on every word. Now if Penelope Cruz signs on as is being rumored, this might be the best of the Pirates films yet.

You can read more of Variety's coverage on the story here.