Starz's recent foray into the pirate genre with 'Black Sails' didn't exactly set the seas aflame, but will NBC have better luck with John Malkovich taking up the Blackbeard role for forthcoming summer drama 'Crossbones?' Find out with the first full trailer, wherein Malkovich unleashes the full Malkovich on unsuspecting Malkovich!

Premiering on Friday, May 30 in the 10:00 P.M. slot, 'Crossbones' sees Malkovich as an intriguing incarnation of the infamous pirate, sporting less of the titular look and hewing closer to an Eastern, meditative take on the character. Based on Colin Woodard’s book, ‘The Republic of Pirates,’ and scripted by ‘Luther’ creator Neil Cross, ‘Crossbones’ takes place in the “golden age of piracy” and would see Captain Edward “Blackbeard” Teach (Malkovich) at the height of his power, ruling over a nation of criminals.

Take a look at NBC’s official summation below:

It’s 1715 on the Bahamian island of New Providence, the first functioning democracy in the Americas, where the diabolical pirate Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, reigns over a rogue nation of thieves, outlaws and miscreant sailors. Part shantytown, part marauder’s paradise, this is a place like no other on earth – and a mounting threat to international commerce.

To gain control of this fearsome society, Tom Lowe, a highly skilled undercover assassin, is sent to the pirates’ haven to take down the brilliant and charismatic Blackbeard. But the closer Lowe gets, the more he finds that his quest is not so simple. Lowe can’t help but admire the political ideals of Blackbeard, whose thirst for knowledge knows no bounds – and no law. But Lowe is not the only danger to Blackbeard’s rule. He is a man with many villainous rivals and one great weakness – a passionately driven woman whom he cannot deny.

'Crossbones' at least looks...interesting, but color us wary of making the pirate genre work as an ongoing drama, particularly when NBC can't get quite as explicit as Starz's snooze-worthy offering. But hey, Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich!

What about you? Have you any interest in NBC's 'Crossbones?' Check out the full trailer above and tell us if you'll go full Malkovich on the May (-lkovich) 30 premiere!

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