Marshall has some serious chops behind him (he’s an Oscar-nominated director) but his experience is almost entirely in the world of musicals. His previous directing efforts include CHICAGO, the TV movie “Annie” and the upcoming NINE. Only MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA wasn’t an overt musical. So does he have what it takes to direct a huge budget mega blockbuster? Disney seems convinced because, as Variety puts it, they’re already begun work casting with an eye towards getting PIRATES 4 moving before Depp moves on to THE LONE RANGER.
Personally I think that if Verbinski can’t get BIOSHOCK going, which is sadly looking like a longshot at this point, he should just return for PIRATES 4. Then again that’s a purely selfish point of view. I think that dude has had enough of pirates.