Blab Entertainment
Ridley Scott Eyes New Treasure Island Epic with Hugh Jackman, Script by Jack Thorne
Ridley Scott, the veteran director known for science‑fiction classics and sweeping historical epics, has set his sights on a fresh adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel Treasure Island. The project already boasts a heavyweight: Australian star Hugh Jackman is slated to portray the legendary pirate Long John Silver, and the screenplay has been penned by playwright‑screenwriter Jack Thorne.
The announcement comes while Scott’s current summer outing, the post‑apocalyptic drama The Dog Stars, is drawing audiences worldwide. Although the two projects are separate, the director’s pivot to a swashbuckling adventure signals a return to the large‑scale storytelling that has defined much of his career.
Jack Jackman, best known for his long‑running role as Wolverine in the X‑Men franchise, has recently taken on the role of Robin Hood in the film The Death of Robin Hood. In a conversation with Discussing Film, the actor explained that he had not actively sought out literary adaptations but was drawn to the Treasure Island script when it was sent to him by Scott.
> "I really read the script and if I respond to my gut … I’ve never read Treasure Island. I’ve never seen Treasure Island. So I’ve heard of Long John Silver, but I had no idea. It is a slight re‑imagining I’m told, but I just read this script. It was sent to me by Ridley Scott, and I was like, ‘Well, I’m really interested in that.’ Jack Thorne wrote this amazing script, so fingers crossed we get it up and we get going. I’m in. Let’s see if someone will make it," the actor said.
Despite the star power and a well‑written script, the venture remains in the early stages of development. No studio has yet committed to the film. 20th Century Studios, which has a long history of collaboration with Scott—including the recent The Dog Stars—passed on the Treasure Island package to avoid a conflict with Disney’s upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean installments. As a result, the film is now on the open market, and it is unclear which studio, if any, will take it on.
The lack of a studio backing raises questions about financing. Scott’s previous projects have typically required substantial budgets, and the director is known for ambitious, high‑production‑value films. The article notes that the production budget remains a hurdle, citing the recent hold on Denzel Washington’s historical epic Hannibal over budget concerns as a cautionary example. Until a studio provides a financial commitment, the Treasure Island adaptation will remain a speculative venture.
Industry observers suggest that the combination of Scott’s directorial pedigree, Jackman’s star appeal, and Thorne’s script could spark a bidding war among studios. The article reports that every major studio is reportedly “in the mix” for the project, implying that a competitive offer could materialize if the script proves compelling. Should a studio green‑light the film, production could move forward relatively quickly, given that the key creative team is already in place.
At present, the Treasure Island adaptation is a concept in development, with no announced release window, production schedule, or distribution partner. The next steps will depend on securing studio financing and negotiating a production budget that aligns with Scott’s vision. Until those details are confirmed, the film remains an intriguing possibility rather than a guaranteed addition to the director’s filmography.
The project illustrates the challenges of adapting classic literature in a crowded market where intellectual property rights and franchise commitments can limit studio options. Whether Treasure Island will ultimately move from page to screen remains to be seen, but the alignment of talent and a fresh script keeps the possibility alive for the coming months.
The announcement comes while Scott’s current summer outing, the post‑apocalyptic drama The Dog Stars, is drawing audiences worldwide. Although the two projects are separate, the director’s pivot to a swashbuckling adventure signals a return to the large‑scale storytelling that has defined much of his career.
Jack Jackman, best known for his long‑running role as Wolverine in the X‑Men franchise, has recently taken on the role of Robin Hood in the film The Death of Robin Hood. In a conversation with Discussing Film, the actor explained that he had not actively sought out literary adaptations but was drawn to the Treasure Island script when it was sent to him by Scott.
> "I really read the script and if I respond to my gut … I’ve never read Treasure Island. I’ve never seen Treasure Island. So I’ve heard of Long John Silver, but I had no idea. It is a slight re‑imagining I’m told, but I just read this script. It was sent to me by Ridley Scott, and I was like, ‘Well, I’m really interested in that.’ Jack Thorne wrote this amazing script, so fingers crossed we get it up and we get going. I’m in. Let’s see if someone will make it," the actor said.
Despite the star power and a well‑written script, the venture remains in the early stages of development. No studio has yet committed to the film. 20th Century Studios, which has a long history of collaboration with Scott—including the recent The Dog Stars—passed on the Treasure Island package to avoid a conflict with Disney’s upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean installments. As a result, the film is now on the open market, and it is unclear which studio, if any, will take it on.
The lack of a studio backing raises questions about financing. Scott’s previous projects have typically required substantial budgets, and the director is known for ambitious, high‑production‑value films. The article notes that the production budget remains a hurdle, citing the recent hold on Denzel Washington’s historical epic Hannibal over budget concerns as a cautionary example. Until a studio provides a financial commitment, the Treasure Island adaptation will remain a speculative venture.
Industry observers suggest that the combination of Scott’s directorial pedigree, Jackman’s star appeal, and Thorne’s script could spark a bidding war among studios. The article reports that every major studio is reportedly “in the mix” for the project, implying that a competitive offer could materialize if the script proves compelling. Should a studio green‑light the film, production could move forward relatively quickly, given that the key creative team is already in place.
At present, the Treasure Island adaptation is a concept in development, with no announced release window, production schedule, or distribution partner. The next steps will depend on securing studio financing and negotiating a production budget that aligns with Scott’s vision. Until those details are confirmed, the film remains an intriguing possibility rather than a guaranteed addition to the director’s filmography.
The project illustrates the challenges of adapting classic literature in a crowded market where intellectual property rights and franchise commitments can limit studio options. Whether Treasure Island will ultimately move from page to screen remains to be seen, but the alignment of talent and a fresh script keeps the possibility alive for the coming months.
