Above: John Malkovich as Blackbeard
By the Caribbean Journal staff
The new NBC show “Crossbones” will soon begin production in Puerto Rico, Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla announced Tuesday.
The first season will shoot on the premises of the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba.
The project, which stars actor John Malkovich, could inject as much as $29.4 million into the local economy and create more than 1,500 direct jobs, Padilla said.
The show’s plot revolves around the pirate Blackbeard. Filming will last for five months, and will also include stops in Luquillo, Fajardo and Old San Juan.
“We’re delighted to be here and very much look forward to getting started shooting in this beautiful island,” Malkovich said in a statement.
Puerto Rico’s local film industry has been on display in recent weeks as the widely popular Showtime series “Homeland” has filmed a number of scenes in the US territory. Puerto Rico has been subbing for Caracas, Venezuela on the show.
“These efforts to attract investment are the strengths of an ‘all-star island’ with extraordinary physical and human capital,” Padilla said.