Photo: Nerdist
Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby, two personalities from New Zealand, are setting their ships to sail.
In a new trailer for HBO Max’s comedy series set in the 18th century, the two actors ride the tide and follow a pirate story with Our Flag Means Death.
The tale follows a real-life nobleman Stede Bonnet (played by Darby) who left his wife, family, and the life of pleasure to attempt his hand at piracy, but later seeing the struggles of running a ship as a captain.
The “Gentleman Pirate,” as he is called, encounters mutiny, wreckage, and a knife-wielding Leslie Jones. He, however, obtains a surprising confederate: the infamous Blackbeard, portrayed by Waititi.
The new trailer teases Our Flag Means Death as the type of comical duo Darby and Waititi are known for. They have been friends and associates for a long time now, having teamed up on several shows, including Flight of the Conchords and movies such as What We Do in the Shadows.
“They are like an old married couple in certain ways,” said filmmaker David Jenkins in an interview. “If a scene isn’t quite working, Taika will be able to grumble about Rhys, and vice versa, in the way that only friends can. And then, when it is popping, they know how to get the best out of each other. There’s a generosity and a real sweetness between them that you wouldn’t get if you weren’t using those two friends.”
Our Flag Means Death will debut on March 3 on HBO Max. Among the casts are Jones, Nathan Foad, Samson Kayo, Vico Ortiz, Ewen Bremner, Joel Fry, Matt Maher, Kristian Nairn, Con O’Neill, Guz Khan, David Fane, Rory Kinnear, Samba Schutte, Nat Faxon, and Fred Armisen.
