Hollywood studio execs are legendary copycats, so it's a bit surprising that the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy's massive profits didn't immediately spawn a slew of buccaneer-themed projects. One notable exception is Dreamworks' upcoming biopic of the notorious English privateer who terrorized travelers of the high seas in the early 18th century.
In contrast to the family-friendly romp that was Pirates of the Caribbean, Blackbeard
will present a "serious" take on its subject "based on historical fact," producer Barry Josephson promised MTV News in a recent interview. That means lots of violence, debauchery, and (hopefully) no poncy Orlando Bloom types. Cool.
In other Blackbeard news, IGN
reported earlier this week that acclaimed Bourne helmer Paul "cinema verite" Greengrass is apparently at the top of the list to direct the film -- a dicey proposition, indeed, for moviegoers with weak stomachs. The prospect of placing Greengrass and his army of hand-held cameras atop an 18th-century frigate is enough to send even the hardiest souls reaching for a bottle of Dramamine.