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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides as we already know is slated for release next summer and filming starts this June.  However, producer Jerry Bruckheimer sat down with MTV and gave us a few updates on the film.  Here is what we now know for sure now:

-- Ian McShane (Deadwood) has been confirmed to be playing the villain, Blackbeard "the nastiest pirate ever"

-- Geoffrey Rush (Munich) will be reprising his role as Captain Hector Barbossa

-- Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) has joined the cast as well as Blackbeard's daughter. Bruckheimer hinted at a possible romantic arc in the story between her and Captain Jack Sparrow.

Hit the jump to see the interview with Jerry Bruckheimer and read the info recap on the project.

Rob Marshall (Chicago) may be directing the film after his sophomore failure, Nine.  Most news articles seem to be reporting Rob Marshall as the director, however, I can't seem to find an article that gives confirmation on his being hired for the job.  Regardless, I hope he lands the job as he should be able to bring a new vision to the project.

As per the plot of the film, those details are also very sketchy with many sources talking about them continuing where the last film ended with Barbossa and Sparrow racing for the Fountain of Youth.

Personally I think this news is great.  As much as I admit that the third film is the weakest of the trilogy and has a good amount of low points and questionable moments, I still love it.  I can't wait to see Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp go sailing in the high seas again.  I also can't wait to see one of my favourite actors to join the cast, Ian McShane, and do his work as Blackbeard.  Ian McShane might just be the best thing to happen to the franchise since Bill Nighy (The Boat that Rocked) joined it in the second film as Davey Jones.  More as we get it.

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