The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is one of the most iconic film series, even though it wasn’t always a hit with critics. Now, Ridley Scott wants a piece of it with a new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
The pirate-based adventure classic is now on the market with one of the biggest names in Hollywood, Deadline reports. The outlet noted Gladiator filmmaker Ridley Scott is set to direct the new adaptation, and Hugh Jackman is attached to the project in the role of the iconic pirate Long John Silver.
Ridley Scott Is Adapting Treasure Island
The list of familiar names doesn’t end here, as Adolescence writer Jack Thorne is listed as writer, and Scott is producing alongside Michael Pruss, with Thorne as an executive producer.
The package is expected to hit the market today, and all the big studios are expected to throw their names in the hat. The outlet also noted sources claimed 20th Century Studios, which is Scott’s go-to option, which is releasing his upcoming film The Dog Stars, already had a first look at it, and reportedly said no.
The reason why 20th Century refused the deal isn’t personal, as it has a close relationship with Scott, but because 20th Century now belongs to Disney, which still wants Pirates of the Caribbean to keep sailing.
The new adaptation is described as a “brand-new take” on the 143-year-old classic novel. Treasure Island follows a young boy who uncovers the map to a legendary buried treasure, and he embarks on a perilous sea voyage to claim a hidden fortune, only to find himself locked in a deadly battle of wits with the charismatic and treacherous pirate, Long John Silver.
Treasure Island has proven it works in different centuries and, since it entered the public domain in 1944, there have been countless of adaptations, whether in movies or TV. One of the most iconic adaptations is 1950’s Treasure Island, which marked Disney’s first live-action film, and the 2002 animated film Treasure Planet, which came from Ron Clements and John Musker and starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jim Hawkins, alongside Emma Thompson and Martin Short.
Ridley Scott & Hugh Jackman Are Keeping Busy
After releasing one of his best-rated films in his career, the comedy The Sheep Detectives, the Wolverine star is heading to a gritty, dark movie: The Death of Robin Hood. As the title suggests, the film will follow the iconic outlaw, but show him in a completely different light: older and aware of all his crimes. The movie comes from Michael Sarnoski, and will hit theaters on June 19.
Meanwhile, Scott is going back to sci-fi with The Dog Stars. The upcoming film adapts Peter Heller’s 2012 novel of the same name, and follows the survivors in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has been wiped out by a deadly virus. The movie stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce. It hits theaters on Aug. 28.
At the same time, Disney is still committed to making Pirates of the Caribbean happen. The franchise sank after five films, with the latest release premiering in 2017. However, Disney reportedly wants to make a sixth film and bring back Johnny Depp as the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow. Until then, there is a new spinoff following his son, and another reported reboot starring Margot Robbie. There is no release date attached.