Hugh Jackman is set to star as the pirate Long John Silver in a new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island, with acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott attached to direct. The project, written by Emmy-winning screenwriter Jack Thorne, hit the market on Monday and is expected to attract interest from major studios.
Scott will direct the film and produce alongside Michael Pruss for his Scott Free banner, while Thorne, known for his work on the HBO series Adolescence, will executive produce the script. The package represents a significant pairing of star power and established intellectual property in the competitive film marketplace.
Stevenson’s 1883 novel has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into over 50 languages, making it one of the most enduring adventure stories ever written. The story follows young Jim Hawkins as he discovers a map to buried treasure and embarks on a perilous voyage aboard the Hispaniola, where he encounters the cunning, one-legged pirate Long John Silver. The tale popularized enduring pirate tropes including treasure maps marked with an X and the image of seamen with parrots on their shoulders.
For Jackman, the role marks another addition to his collection of classic characters. The actor has previously played Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, P.T. Barnum in The Greatest Showman, Van Helsing, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, and most recently Robin Hood in A24’s The Death of Robin Hood, which opens June 19.
The timing of the announcement aligns with Scott’s active slate. The filmmaker is preparing for the August release of The Dog Stars, a post-apocalyptic thriller starring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley through 20th Century Studios. According to industry reports, 20th Century received first look at the Treasure Island package but ultimately passed, as the Disney-owned studio wanted to avoid a competing pirate project given the company’s priority on Pirates of the Caribbean in its live-action division.
Scott has publicly expressed interest in directing a pirate film in recent months, and the Treasure Island project fulfills that ambition. The package is now being shopped to studios, with insiders expecting significant interest from major players in the industry.
Sources
- Variety — Confirmed Hugh Jackman cast as Long John Silver, Ridley Scott directing, Jack Thorne screenplay, production details via Scott Free
- Deadline — Exclusive reporting on package announcement, market details, studio interest, and Disney/Pirates of the Caribbean context
- World of Reel — Scott’s recent interest in pirate movie projects and production timeline
