Next Up for NINE's Rob Marshall? Pirates of the Caribbean 4!

Reported first on BroadwayWorld.com back in late July, and now confirmed by Marshall that a deal is "very close to happening" is word that Rob Marshall is expected to take over Disney's lucrative Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise with a forth film that's aiming for summer 2011 release. 

Marshall told reporters during the press junket for the NINE film that he's very excited to work with Johnny Depp and that he's always wanted to take on an adventure film. 

This would put the film on track for a 2010 production start, with Johnny Depp once again starring as Captain Jack Sparrow.

The film has been in limbo since original director Gore Verbinski left the project in April of this year.

"While Marshall's involvement wasn't immediately confirmed, sources said things look good enough that the studio has begun casting new characters that will appear in the picture," Variety continued.

Before he moves to the open seas, Marshall will release his big screen adaptation of NINE THE MUSICAL, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz and Nicole Kidman.  Nine revolves around one central character, Guido Contini a film director in the Fellini mold. He is contracted to write and direct a film, but is unable to come up with a suitable plot. After recent box office failures, he finds himself drifting towards a nervous breakdown. Guido finds himself examining his past flawed relationships with the many women who have come through his life and the struggle to act his mature age of 40--as opposed to nine. For more information visit the official NINE website by clicking here.