Rob Marshall On Tap to Direct Fourth Pirates of the Caribbean Film

Broadway-turned-film director Rob Marshall is in line to direct the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series starring Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, according to Variety. If Marshall’s rumored involvement becomes official, the film could begin production in 2010, before Depp fulfills a commitment to play the title role in The Lone Ranger.

Gore Verbinski, who directed the first three Pirates movies, dropped out of the newest installment in April to focus on a movie version of the video game Bioshock. Collectively, the Pirates trilogy has grossed $2.6 billion worldwide.

A six time Tony nominee, Marshall made his feature film debut directing the Oscar-winning film adaptation of Chicago. His movie version of Nine, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson and Sophia Loren, is scheduled for release on November 25.