Ian McShane is in talks to board Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, according to Variety.

The trade magazine says the actor would play Blackbeard in Disney’s fourth instalment in the franchise. Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach or Edward Thatch, was a real-life pirate of the Caribbean in the early 1700s. His ship was the Queen Anne’s Revenge. Variety says Blackbeard will be the villain and Johnny Depp’s character, Captain Jack Sparrow, will have to face off against him as he seeks out the Fountain of Youth.

Neither Keira Knightley nor Orlando Bloom will be returning to the series. Penelope Cruz is in negotiations for the female lead. Rob Marshall (Chicago, Nine) is at the helm.

McShane has been making films since 1962 but is perhaps best known for his starring role in HBO’s multiple-award-winning Western Deadwood. He also appeared as King Silas on NBC’s shortlived Kings, and has lent his voice to several movies, including Shrek the Third, Caroline and Kung Fu Panda.

(Photo by PR Photos)

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