A new adaptation of Treasure Island has been on Ridley Scott’s radar for a while. Now, it looks like it might be his next project. The project was hunting for a studio. Scott frequently works with 20th Century Studios, but they exercised their first look and passed. This was because Disney, their parent company, is all in on a new Pirates Of The Caribbean instalment.
So others have jumped in, and it looks as if Sony may well win the race. According to Deadline, they are now in advanced negotiations to take on the project.
Hugh Jackman is locked to play Long John Silver in the film, which will have been part of the draw for competing studios.
Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel Treasure Island, the story follows young Jim Hawkins as he finds a map to Captain Flint’s long-lost fortune and embarks on a perilous voyage aboard the Hispaniola. Aboard the ship, Jim and the crew face mutiny led by the cunning, one-legged cook, Long John Silver. He must outsmart the pirates if he wants to claim the gold.
Treasure Island is credited with creating many aspects of pirate lore, including parrots on shoulders, and endemic wooden legs among the possessionally challenged nautical community.
There have been over 50 film and TV adaptations of Treasure Island, and at least four sequel movies from various parties. Disney’s animated Treasure Planet was the most recent attempt, with Starz’s Black Sails serving as a prequel.
Emmy-winning Adolescence writer Jack Thorne is on the script, and Scott will produce alongside Michael Pruss.
