Blackbeard has an airdate in June, according to the Hallmark Channel. The mini-series has been in production now since July 25 over in Thailand. Now it's getting the first media roll-out — confirming actors and putting out press releases.
Today's Hollywood Reporter gives it big play, focusing on the four of the stars: Angus McFadyen, Stacy Keach, Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.
Based on the number of hits my blog gets from around the world, there must be a lot of Blackbeard fans waiting for that scurvy pirate's return.
The production is located in Khanom, Thailand. As the cameras rolled, my draft of the script hovered at about 230 pages for the four-hour epic. It's a rousing good story — a little Master and Commander, a dash of Horatio Hornblower, some Captain Blood and some history.
This is the second four-hour mini-series I've written for Larry Levinson Productions — the first being The Poseidon Adventure which airs on NBC on November 20th. I guess if it's a long film on the water, I am becoming the guy to call! Anyway, for all those pirate fans around the world, here's a short sail through Blackbeard-mania...
In this film, we play Blackbeard for the badass pirate he supposedly was.
We're very lucky to have found the talented Angus Macfadyen to play this rogue. You may remember him best in Braveheart, where he played Robert the Bruce.
Macfadyen gets to do a star turn on the dark side this time because Edward Teach (aka "Blackbeard") deserved his reputation as the most dangerous pirate of his time. Yet he had colors any actor would want to paint with — Blackbeard could be charming as hell, then turn into a stone sociopath.
Our story isn't based on any particular source material (other than the gray matter in my head, I suppose). But if you're looking for hangings, walking the plank, treasure hunts, mutiny, sword fights, duels and the clash of good and evil with a love story as a backdrop then this may be for you. You will not hear "arr matey" or "shiver me timbers" in the entire four hours, although I am rather fond of Blackbeard's penchant for saying "you may lay to that" and the production guys have added a few "me hearties" here and there.
Article comments
1 - Deano
Great! Blackbeard is a fascinating character and it is about time someone did him justice.
When ever I think of him, I always remember the supposed xcerpt from his journal that Danial Defoe set down:
"Such a day, rum all out: â€" Our company somewhat sober: â€" A damned confusion amongst us! â€" Rogues a-plotting: â€" Great talk of separation â€" so I looked sharp for a prize: â€" Such a day found one with a great deal of liquor on board, so kept the company hot, damned hot; then all things went well again."
2 - Dave Nalle
So that air date is June of next year? I hope they have the wisdom to use one of my pirate fonts for the titles...but chances are they will.
Dave
3 - Judy Crocker
We are all so excited for this top quality production to materialize. When the ever professional Richard Chamberlain is on board, the production has to be a winner!! He is simply the most magnificent and versatile actor of all time. A uniting of this beloved actor with Rachel Ward is nothing short of exciting!! Top notch actors,and quality production will make this the outstanding film of the new year! I can't wait!!!
4 - Mandy
I am definitely looking forward to seeing this movie. I got to spend some time aboard the Lady Washington earlier this summer and am looking forward to seeing her on screen again.
5 - Janet Planet
I am looking forward to seeing this as Angus Macfadyen is one of, if not the most brilliant actor of our time. He has the incredible ability to bring a twist to the role of which only a real actor can accomplish. Actually, great casting all around. But I don't understand why out of all the beautiful areas of Thailand the producers would choose such a horriific location to shoot. I have been there and couldn't wait to get out, there is absolutely nothing there that would lend itself to a pirate movie. 11 weeks must be absolutely miserable for the cast and crew and there are so many lovely places to shoot a pirate movie in Thailand.
6 - Troy Carlton
I am very jealous of this. I have spent the last two years writing...and rewriting a feature-length movie entitled "Blackbeard". This mini-series sounds like it will be good, even though it will be on the Hallmark channel. I will definitely tune in.
Good luck with this
7 - mystagee
The set of blackbeard is spectacular, they have recreated the caribbean in Thailand. Your picture does not do it justice, much has been added since. I visited the set whilst on holiday in thailand.I was impressed with the attention to detail and the great team spirit amongst the hardworking cast and crew. Thanks to all for making me feel welcome. This was definitely a highlight of my stay in thailand..and the koh samui nightlife!
June cant come too soon!
8 - wieteke
hi there!
I was also on the set of this movie in august 2005 in thailand as an 'extra' together with many other backpackers who were asked to play in the background, we had a great deal of fun working with the crew and each other! Now I am back in Holland and I am really looking forward to the release of this miniseries!
I had a great time and it really added something special to my stay in Asia!
Good luck with everything!
9 - J. T. Lewis
What a great cast, Angus is strong in every roll I have seen him in, and I'm sure he wont disapoint us as Blackbeard. I wish we could have heard more about Jessica Chastain in this article. She's a young talent with such natural ability. I live in New York and have seen her perform many times and she allways delivers! I know we all will be seeing alot more of her in the future. This is a must see.............
10 - William Bay
Bryce,
It was interesting to run across your write up here. I know you posted this a while back, but my Mom just sent me this link asking if it was me in the first photo.
I got an opportunity to play Blackbeards double on the movie. I was doing some tsunami relief work on the other coast and heard that they needed some extras for the movie. So me and a handful of volunteers from Khao Lak went up to Suratani where a lot of the extras were staying originally. When I got there the casting people thought I looked a lot like Angus so they had me do some double work. The scene in the picture looks like one of the scenes I shot, but looking closer I can tell that it wasn't me.
It was a fun experience and it was a laugh to be reminded of it. Thanks for the article.
I'm not sure if I'll ever get to see the movie as I'll probably be on a motorcycle heading from Singapore to Ireland when it comes out. But maybe my Mom will Tivo it for me.
11 - brett
I was backpacking in SE Asia and had a chance to be an extra in the movie. It was great, but since the movie I haven't eaten another sandwich. By the way, watch out for the hangman in the movie, I'm pretty sure he had a rough night before filming.
12 - jonny
and didn't you let it go to youre head william bay.
what a knob head
13 - Berrymoore
Just watched this bogus movie. What a crock. It did no justice to the life of Blackbeard. The acting was terrible. Chamberlin was horrible as was Rachel Ward, but then, she is no actress. This would have done Hallmark better justice to tell the true story of Blackbeard, which is a hundred times better than this pile of baloney. Gov. Eden was in North Carolina, not the Caribbean. He did not have a step daughter named Charlotte. Blackbeard lived a normal life outside of his pirate ways. It was IMPORTANT that he was in North Carolina because of its curious coastline with the Outer Banks. Small pirate sloops could out maneuver the big ships coming from Europe, gather their goods and disappear among the Intercoastal waterways. It was a pirates paradise. The Carribean was nothing. Boy, anyone who watches this and think they know anything of Blackbeard is sadly mistaken.
14 - BDiver
What a total load of bilge water. Don't waste your time watching, renting or burning this abomination.
The writer says, "its tone is still the closest anybody has come in film to the way it was" - my arse. The movie is about a guy named Blackbeard. After that it's just garbage.