Ridley Scott is 88 years old and apparently has no interest in a retirement home. Instead, he’s out here trying to resurrect the pirate genre with a heavy-hitting adaptation of a 143-year-old classic. The news that a Hugh Jackman Treasure Island Ridley Scott project is officially being shopped to studios has sent the industry into a frenzy, mostly because it pairs a legendary director who specializes in "bigness" with an actor who has spent the last two decades proving he can carry any franchise on his back.
The project, which is currently a high-profile package looking for a home, isn't just another retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel. It’s being billed as a "new take," and with the attachment of screenwriter Jack Thorne—the mind behind the gritty Netflix hit Adolescence—we aren't expecting a Disney-fied musical. We’re expecting something closer to Gladiator on the high seas. Here is the definitive intelligence report on the film that could redefine nautical adventures for a new generation.
Who is starring in Ridley Scott's Treasure Island?
Hugh Jackman is set to star as the iconic pirate Long John Silver in a new adaptation of 'Treasure Island' directed by Ridley Scott. The screenplay is written by Jack Thorne, known for the Netflix series 'Adolescence'. While official casting for Jim Hawkins hasn't been confirmed, rumors suggest Jacob Elordi is being considered for a role.
The Casting of a Legend: Hugh Jackman as Long John Silver
The choice of Long John Silver Hugh Jackman is a fascinating pivot for the actor. We usually see Jackman as the hero—even when he’s a "lone wolf" like Wolverine, he’s ultimately the guy you root for. Stepping into the shoes of Silver means playing one of literature’s most complex anti-heroes. He’s the ship’s cook who is also a mutinous mastermind; he’s a father figure to Jim Hawkins who is also willing to kill him for a chest of gold.
This isn’t Jackman’s first time on a pirate ship, though he’d probably like us to forget the first one. In 2015, he played Blackbeard in Pan, a film that was both a critical and box office disaster. However, that movie failed because of its script and tone, not Jackman’s performance. Under Scott’s direction, the physicality required for Silver will be different. While Wolverine requires a shredded, low-body-fat physique, Long John Silver is historically portrayed as a "big" man—sturdy, imposing, and, of course, missing a leg. The physical preparation for this role will likely focus on presence and gravitas rather than the six-pack abs we saw in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Then there’s the Jim Hawkins factor. There is significant noise about Jacob Elordi joining the cast. If Scott is looking for a "new take," casting an older, more physically capable Jim Hawkins (rather than a 12-year-old boy) would fundamentally change the dynamic of the story. It turns a coming-of-age tale into a psychological battle between two grown men. Elordi, who is currently working with Scott on The Dog Stars, has the height and intensity to match Jackman. However, his involvement might hinge on his schedule—especially if those James Bond casting rumors turn out to be true.
Ridley Scott’s Pirate Movie: A First for the Legendary Director
The wild part about a Ridley Scott pirate movie is that, despite his massive filmography, he’s never actually done one. He’s done sci-fi (Alien), historical epics (Kingdom of Heaven), war movies (Black Hawk Down), and even a fashion tragedy (House of Gucci). But the Golden Age of Piracy is uncharted territory for him.
Scott is currently operating at a breakneck pace. Through Scott Free Productions, he has a development slate that would make a 30-year-old tired. Along with Treasure Island, he’s looking at:
- The Dog Stars: A post-pandemic survival story starring Elordi and Josh Brolin.
- The Death of Robin Hood: A gritty reimagining starring Jackman and Jodie Comer.
- Gladiator III: Because the second one apparently left him with more to say.
- The Bee Gees Biopic: A total tonal 180.
- Battle of Britain: A return to WWII.
Where does Treasure Island fit? It seems to be the next big "spectacle" project. After the massive budgets of Napoleon and Gladiator II—both of which cleared the $200 million mark—Scott is clearly comfortable spending studio money to build massive, practical worlds. For a nautical adventure of this scale, we can expect a similar Ridley Scott pirate movie budget, likely north of $150 million, especially if they plan on building full-scale ships rather than relying entirely on a Volume stage.
The Script: Jack Thorne’s 'New Take' on a 143-Year-Old Story
The Jack Thorne Treasure Island script is the secret weapon here. Thorne is the guy you hire when you want emotional depth and a bit of "dirt" on your characters. His work on Adolescence Netflix and His Dark Materials shows a talent for taking young-adult-adjacent material and making it feel heavy and consequential.
The "new take" mentioned in trade reports likely refers to a move away from the "yo-ho-ho" caricatures of the past. Since Robert Louis Stevenson published the book in 1883, Treasure Island has been adapted dozens of times. We’ve had the 1950 Disney classic, the Muppets version (shoutout to Tim Curry), and the sci-fi Treasure Planet. Most of these lean into the whimsy. Thorne’s version is expected to be a period epic that leans into the mutinous crew dynamics and the sheer terror of being stuck on a boat with men who have nothing to lose.
One major question for the "new take" is the pirate iconography. Will Jackman adopt the classic West Country accent? That "pirate talk" we all know—the "Arrr, matey"—actually originated with Robert Newton’s performance as Long John Silver in the 1950 film. Before that, pirates didn't really talk like that in the public consciousness. A "gritty" version might ditch the "Arrr" in favor of something more historically accurate and menacing.
The Disney Conflict: Why 20th Century Passed on Treasure Island
Here is the tea: 20th Century Studios, which is owned by Disney, had the first crack at this project because of their existing relationship with Scott. They passed. Why? Because Disney is currently trying to figure out a Disney Pirates of the Caribbean reboot.
Disney basically has a monopoly on the "pirate movie" brand. If they release a Treasure Island movie, it risks cannibalizing the hype for whatever Johnny Depp-less version of Pirates they are cooking up. By passing on it, they’ve allowed the package to go to market, which has sparked a bidding war between Universal, Warner Bros., and the streamers (Netflix and Apple).
The irony is that Treasure Island was Disney’s first-ever fully live-action movie back in 1950. For them to pass on it now shows just how much they are betting on the Pirates of the Caribbean IP. However, this creates a massive opportunity for another studio to create a "grown-up" pirate franchise that doesn't need to sell theme park tickets or plastic swords.
Treasure Island Movie 2026 vs. MGM+ Series
Scott’s film isn't the only one in the water. There is a competing MGM+ series in development starring David Oyelowo as Long John Silver. This creates a "Deep Impact vs. Armageddon" situation for the 2026-2027 season. Here is how they stack up:
| Feature | Ridley Scott Film | MGM+ Series |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Actor | Hugh Jackman | David Oyelowo |
| Format | Big-screen spectacle | Multi-episode drama |
| Tone | Gritty/Action Epic | Character-focused/Historical |
| The "Silver" | Physically imposing/Villainous | Sophisticated/Strategic |
While the MGM+ series will have more time to explore the backstory of the buried treasure map, Scott’s film will have the advantage of pure cinematic scale. When you think of Ridley Scott, you think of cinematography. He will likely bring back Dariusz Wolski, his long-time Director of Photography, to capture the brutal beauty of the ocean. Wolski has experience here—he shot the first few Pirates of the Caribbean movies, so he knows how to make a ship look like a character of its own.
The History of the Pirate Genre at the Box Office
Outside of the Disney Pirates franchise, the genre has actually struggled. Cutthroat Island (1995) famously bankrupted a studio. Pan flopped. Master and Commander—while a masterpiece—didn't get the sequel it deserved because the numbers weren't high enough.
So, why is a Treasure Island movie 2026 a safe bet now? Because the "IP era" of Hollywood is shifting. Audiences are tired of superheroes, but they still want "big" movies. A period epic with a nautical adventure hook feels fresh again. It’s a 143-year-old brand that everyone recognizes, but it hasn't been done as a serious, high-budget drama in decades. If Scott can bring the same energy he brought to Gladiator, he might just break the "pirate curse" for non-Disney studios.
Key Takeaways: The Hugh Jackman Treasure Island Ridley Scott Report
- The Duo: Ridley Scott directs, Hugh Jackman stars as Long John Silver. It’s their second planned collaboration alongside The Death of Robin Hood.
- The Script: Jack Thorne (Adolescence) is writing a "new take" that is expected to be grittier and more realistic than previous adaptations.
- The Elordi Rumor: Jacob Elordi is rumored for a role, potentially a more mature version of Jim Hawkins.
- The Disney Pass: 20th Century Studios declined the project to avoid competing with Disney’s internal Pirates of the Caribbean reboot.
- The Competition: A separate Treasure Island TV series is coming to MGM+ starring David Oyelowo.
- The Visuals: Expect high-budget practical sets and likely cinematography from Dariusz Wolski.
Look, the reality is that Ridley Scott is in a "legacy" phase of his career. He’s checking off the boxes of stories he’s always wanted to tell. By casting Jackman as Silver, he’s securing a performance that will be compared to Robert Newton and Tim Curry for years to come. Whether this becomes the definitive version of the story depends on if Thorne’s script can make us care about a buried treasure map in an era of GPS. But with this much talent involved, I wouldn't bet against them. The high seas are about to get very crowded, and honestly? It’s about time.
