There’s no question that fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise are strongly skeptical of director Rob Marshall taking over as director from Gore Verbinski on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Marshall is best known as someone who makes popular musicals like Chicago and Nine, but not so much someone who can rock the action-fantasy chords.

Whether Marshall delivers us another great time at the movies or not, he is using his standing to sway possible new talents. The trades have heard word that Penélope Cruz — star of Marshall’s latest musical, Nine — is in negotiations to star in the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.