Lovejoy lives on. With a GREAT BIG BUSHY BEARD. Yes, Ian McShane is signing a deal to star as the villainous Blackbeard in the now rather exciting Pirates of the Caribbean 4. On Stranger Tides, directed by Rob Marshall, will see Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow fighting off Blackbeard in a quest to find the Fountain of Youth.

Penelope Cruz is already on board this sequel and now, with McShane's gruff (sadly non-sweary) swashbuckler to boot, Pirates of the Caribbean could easily find fairer waters this time round. Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom for Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane? Hell. Yes.