Sony eyes Ridley Scott’s Treasure Island with Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard
Deadline reports Sony Pictures is in talks for Ridley Scott’s new Treasure Island film, with Hugh Jackman attached to play Blackbeard.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Sony Pictures is negotiating to take on a new Treasure Island movie from Ridley Scott, with Hugh Jackman attached to play the pirate Blackbeard, according to Deadline.
The project would put Scott in the director’s chair for a fresh adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel. Deadline reported that Jack Thorne wrote the script, with Scott and Michael Pruss producing through Scott Free.
Sony did not comment to Deadline on the reported talks.
A pirate package finds a likely port
Deadline reported last month that Scott had chosen Treasure Island as his next film after responding strongly to Thorne’s adaptation. The package also drew attention from multiple studios, according to the outlet.
Deadline said Sony showed early enthusiasm for the project. The report noted Scott’s long history with Sony studio chief Tom Rothman, who backed several of Scott’s films during his time as co-chairman of 20th Century and later supported All the Money in the World and Napoleon.
Before the project moved more widely through the market, 20th Century had a first look, Deadline reported. That studio has been a frequent home for Scott and is set to release his next film, The Dog Stars, in August. The Dog Stars is based on Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel.
Deadline reported that 20th Century ultimately passed because it is part of Disney, where Pirates of the Caribbean remains a priority at the live-action division. According to Deadline, the studio did not want a competing pirate project under the same corporate roof.
The Stevenson story sails again
Stevenson’s Treasure Island follows a young boy who discovers a map to buried treasure and heads out on a dangerous sea voyage. The journey turns into a fight for survival involving Long John Silver, the charismatic and treacherous pirate at the center of the tale.
The novel was published in 1883. Deadline reported that it has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 50 languages.
The book has inspired numerous adaptations. Deadline pointed to Disney’s animated Treasure Planet, released in 2002 and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. That version moved the adventure into space and featured Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jim Hawkins, Brian Murray as Long John Silver, Martin Short as the robot Ben and Emma Thompson as Captain Amelia.
Jackman is represented by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern, according to Deadline. Scott is represented by CAA. Thorne is represented by UTA, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.