Bay producing pirate drama for Starz

LOS ANGELES, May 3 (UPI) -- Starz says it has ordered an eight-episode pirate adventure series to be produced by Hollywood filmmaker Michael Bay.

Starz Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht announced Thursday "Black Sails" is to start shooting in Cape Town, South Africa, later this year. It is expected to air in 2014.

Set 20 years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, "Treasure Island," the drama centers on the tales of Captain Flint and his crew of buccaneers.

"Starz is excited to be working with a visionary like Michael,'" Albrecht said in a statement Thursday. "Along with the high-octane action that is a hallmark of a Michael Bay production, it has the elements that Starz originals are striving to bring to the premium landscape: epic, larger than life, cinematic storytelling. The series is also a property we believe will appeal to the global content marketplace with broadcasters around the world."

"I'm excited to branch out into television, especially doing a long-form series for Starz, a network known for supporting cutting-edge programming," said Bay, whose credits include the blockbuster "Transformers" and "Bad Boys" film franchises.

"Black Sails" will be executive produced by Bay and his Platinum Dunes production company partners Brad Fuller and Andrew Form. The series is created by show-runner and executive producer Jon Steinberg, Starz said.