‘Our Flag Means Death’ Brings Taika Waititi’s Humor to Piracy on the High Seas
The multitalented director takes the high seas in a new comedy for HBO Max – Our Flag Means Death.
Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s latest project brings his sense of humor to the profession of piracy– gentleman pirates, to be precise. It’s 1717 and wealthy landowner Stede Bonnet (who was a real person) has decided to blow up his such life and become a pirate. It doesn’t go well for him.
Our Flag Means Death looks like a workplace comedy on a pirate ship– in the way What We Do in the Shadows is about a group of mismatched roommates. Expect modernism in places it doesn’t belong, lines you’ll be quoting for years, and generally goofballery.
If you’ve been watching the pair’s work over the years, you likely recognized some of the faces in the trailer. Rhys Darby plays gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet, who wants to bring civility and healthy communication to the profession. He’s joined by Fred Armisen, Leslie Jones, Ewen Bremmer, Kristian Nairn, and Rory Kinnear.
Rhys Darby and Nathan Foad via EW
Fred Armisen and Leslie Jones via EW
Our Flag Means Death Details
The showrunner is David Jenkins (People of Earth) and Taika Waititi is directing at least some of the episodes.
“Our Flag Means Death is loosely based on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), a pampered aristocrat who abandons his life of privilege to become a pirate. The series also stars Academy Award winner Taika Waititi as Blackbeard, history’s most feared and revered pirate.”
Our Flag Means Death premieres on HBOMax in March.
