Taika Waititi to play pirate Blackbeard in Our Flag Means Death

Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi will star as Blackbeard in pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death, HBO said (Ian West/PA)

Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi will star as Blackbeard in pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death, HBO said.

Waititi, an actor, writer and director, will appear opposite his fellow New Zealander Rhys Darby.