Director David Slade will be helming the opening episode of NBC’s upcoming pirate drama Crossbones, according to Deadline. Starring John Malkovich as the famous swashbuckler Blackbeard, the show was written by Luther creator Neil Cross and is set in 1715 on the island of New Providence, where “the diabolical pirate Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard (Malkovich), reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. ”
Crossbones is one of several pirate projects in the works right now. Starz is getting ready to launch Black Sails, which is being produced by Michael Bay and there’s also the upcoming video game Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, which will deal with pirates as well. Then, of course, there’s Pirates of the Caribbean 5 and last but not least, the upcoming Tom Hanks-led film Captain Phillips.
Too many pirates? Perhaps, but when done right they make for some good entertainment and with Slade and Malkovich at the helm of NBC’s upcoming show, I think the results will be pretty good. After all, Slade has done great things with the network’s Hannibal adaptation and I think he’s a solid choice to direct the opening episode of Crossbones. He’ll definitely be able to bring some of that dark edginess that a show like this needs.
Crossbones is expected to arrive in late 2013/early 2014, we’ll keep you posted when we hear more.