Arrr, McShane drifting to 'Pirates' sequel

Ian McShane as swearin' Al Swearengen in "Deadwood."  (Courtesy:  historyfanatic.today.com)

It's true what you've heard in this space about big-screen -- and in this case, little screen -- villains turning out to be the nicest guys in person.

That's why I'm happy to report that British actor Ian McShane, who groveled gloriously in the bad-guy mire as the near-barbaric brothel owner on HBO's "Deadwood," looks to be close to signing on to play the pirate Blackbeard in the next "Pirates of the Caribbean" adventure.

Subtitled "On Stranger Tides," this will be the fourth installment in the popular comic-adventures fronted by Johnny Depp, a modern-day pirate if ever there was one. 

If you're counting, especially if you're a Disney bean counter, three sequels ain't bad for a tent-pole franchise based on a theme park ride.

From this aisle seat, I'll be looking forward to what McShane, an actor that a Hollywood Reporter post reminds us has been acting since the '70s, will do with the swashbuckling role.

I had the pleasure of interviewing McShane in New York a few years back when he portrayed the journalist ghost in Woody Allen's "Scoop."

He talked about the movie a little, as actors facing the movie junket press must.  What I remember most, though, are highly entertaining stories McShane (one of the most personable actors I've ever met) volunteered about hanging out with Old Guard actors from across the pond; most notably, drinking excursions with the late, great Richard Burton.

The movie I'd really like to see is McShane, all alone on stage and sitting on a stool, telling stories about the glorious wild old days (or, more specifically, nights).

I'm not sure how the MPAA would rate such a thing, but I'd be the first in line to buy a ticket.