Ian McShane's casting as Blackbeard was one of Pirates 4's biggest coups.

The erstwhile Lovejoy star enjoyed something of a career revival with his role as Al Swearengen in TV's Deadwood.

He has since purred his way through a number of support roles in everything from Hot Rod to 44 Inch Chest, by way of Kung Fu Panda, but this'll be his biggest movie outing to date.

If he can bring an iota of the menace, gravitas, and depth that he brought to Swearengen, then Pirates fans could be in for a treat.

The uber-villains have been one of the franchise's strongest weapons, and McShane could fit right in with Bill Nighy and Geoffrey Rush.

It's also surprising that infamous marauder Blackbeard hasn't been utilised by the series until now.

Penelope Cruz was another tantalising piece of casting for the franchise.

The Spanish actress (who Marshall got a scintillating turn from in Nine) plays Angelica, daughter of Blackbeard and love interest of Sparrow: perhaps this movie will have a tighter plot than it forebears...

The trailer suggests she's bringing the feist that Keira never seemed to summon in her Pirates outings, and she's as lively in the verbal sparring as she is in the swordplay.

Ever the professional, Cruz isn't one to let a little issue like pregnancy get in the way of a role.

Apparently the costume team have been coming up with a number of creative solutions for covering the bump, and her sister Monica has even stood in for her for long shots.

This Is England actor Stephen Graham continues his ascent through the Hollywood ranks by nabbing the role of Scrum, Richard 'Uncle Monty' Griffiths is playing King George II, and Judi Dench (another of Marshall's Nine alumni) is set to appear in an unspecified cameo.

And they're not the only franchise newbies...