In July it was rumored that Chicago and upcoming Nine director Rob Marshall would possibly be directing the fourth entry into the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. According to an AICN report from a DGA screening of Nine, when Marshall was asked about the project he said “ya’know, it’s something that I was offered and never in the world thought I would do but then I was like ‘why not?’… I’m doing ‘Pirates of the Caribbean….” The story also mentioned how Marshall and Johnny Depp got together are excited to get to work on the film. This fourth entry will be based on Tim Powers’ pirate novel On Stranger Tides which was optioned by Disney years ago. You can find the plot below.

Puppeteer John Chandagnac, bound for Jamaica to recover stolen money from his uncle, becomes Jack Shandy after pirates attack his ship and force him to join their crew. Shandy’s struggle to accept his new life grounds the story for readers, even as Blackbeard and vodun magicians whisk everyone away to dreamlike lands where the Fountain of Youth itself awaits. The chaotic sea battles sing, though at times key events happen so quickly that they get lost in the shuffle as Jack tries to comprehend where he’s going and what’s at stake.

After the lackluster sequels in the franchise, I was hoping we wouldn’t get another one. The fact that Marshall is now directing definitely sways my opinion. He can hopefully push the series in the right direction with a more classier, focused approach. I can’t wait to see his new film, Nine, which hits theaters this Christmas.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is looking to shoot spring 2010 for a tentative summer 2011 release.

What do you think of Marshall directing Pirates 4?