Treasure Island Movie News: Latest Updates & Cast

Ridley Scott, Hugh Jackman's 'Treasure Island' Setting Sail to Sony

HOLLYWOOD, July 22, 2026 - Sony Pictures has secured the rights to a new big-screen adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel “Treasure Island,” with Ridley Scott attached to direct and Hugh Jackman set to star as the iconic one-legged rogue Long John Silver. The project, which has been quietly developing for months, is now officially moving forward under the studio’s banner, marking a major reunion for two of Hollywood’s most bankable talents.

Scott, who last steered the historical epic “The Last Duel” and the crime drama “House of Gucci,” will oversee a fresh take on the beloved tale of treasure maps, mutiny, and high-seas treachery. Jackman, best known for his long-running portrayal of Wolverine in the “X-Men” franchise and his Oscar-nominated turn in “Les Misérables,” will bring his considerable gravitas to the role of the charming yet dangerous Silver. The actor has long expressed interest in playing characters with moral ambiguity, and Silver-a charismatic cook who leads a mutiny against the ship’s officers-offers a rich, layered part.

A Storied Source Material

Stevenson’s novel, first published in 1883, has been adapted numerous times for both film and television. The most celebrated film version remains the 1950 Disney live-action classic starring Robert Newton, which essentially defined the popular image of pirates for generations. In 1990, a made-for-TV adaptation directed by Fraser Clarke Heston aired, featuring Charlton Heston as Silver and a young Christian Bale as Jim Hawkins, alongside a cast that included Oliver Reed, Christopher Lee, and Julian Glover. That version ran 131 minutes and earned a rating of 6.6 on TMDb, but it has largely faded from the cultural conversation.

The story follows young Jim Hawkins, who, after the death of a mysterious sailor named Billy Bones at his mother’s inn, discovers a treasure map. He joins Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey aboard the Hispaniola to find the fabled hoard. But the ship’s cook, Long John Silver, has his own plans: he leads a mutiny among the crew, and Jim must help the loyal officers survive and fight back on a remote island. The narrative has proven endlessly adaptable, with its themes of loyalty, greed, and coming-of-age resonating across decades.

What Scott and Jackman Bring to the Project

Scott, now in his late eighties, shows no signs of slowing down. He has directed everything from science-fiction landmarks like “Alien” and “Blade Runner” to historical dramas such as “Gladiator,” which won the Best Picture Oscar. His ability to create immersive, tactile worlds-whether in the Roman Colosseum or the far reaches of space-should serve the pirate genre well. “You need that practical, lived-in feel for a story like this,” a source close to the production told Hollywood Buzz. “Ridley understands that the ship itself is a character.”

Jackman, meanwhile, has proven his musical chops in “The Greatest Showman” and “Les Misérables,” which could add another dimension to Silver-a character known in the novel for his cunning and his tendency to break into sea shanties. The actor’s natural charisma may also soften Silver’s more villainous edges, making him a more complex figure than the outright scoundrel of earlier portrayals.

A Competitive Landscape

Sony’s acquisition of the project comes at a time when the studio is aggressively building its slate of franchise properties. The studio has seen success with “Spider-Man,” “Jumanji,” and “Uncharted,” but has lacked a robust period-adventure series. “Treasure Island” could fill that gap, especially with Scott and Jackman attached as marquee names.

The film also enters a market that has seen a resurgence of interest in pirate stories, following Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise-which, despite diminishing returns in its later installments, still proved that audiences crave swashbuckling escapism. Scott’s version, however, is expected to be grittier and more grounded, leaning into the novel’s darker undertones rather than the supernatural comedy of the Disney films.

What’s Next

No writers have been announced yet, though Scott is known for working closely with screenwriters during development. Casting for the key roles of Jim Hawkins, Squire Trelawney, and Dr. Livesey is expected to begin shortly, with the studio likely seeking a young actor for Jim-a part that launched the career of Christian Bale and, decades earlier, helped establish child star Bobby Driscoll.

Production is slated to begin in early 2027, with locations likely including the Caribbean and the UK. Scott has a history of filming in exotic locales-the Maltese coast doubled for ancient Rome in “Gladiator”-so audiences can expect a visually stunning, sun-baked island setting.

For now, fans of classic adventure and of both leading men have reason to raise a glass. Robert Louis Stevenson’s treasure map is being dusted off once more, and this time, it’s in the hands of a master director and a star who knows how to sail a ship-even one as dangerous as Long John Silver.

Source: Hollywood Reporter