Ridley Scott is known as one of the greatest science fiction directors of all time, but his next movie will delve into territory he has never explored before in his decades-long filmography. News broke this week that the acclaimed filmmaker will helm a reboot of one of the greatest adventure movies ever, Treasure Island.
The new Treasure Island movie is still in its infancy, but it is picking up steam as its cast begins to form around star Hugh Jackman. The action-adventure film will have big shoes to fill, as it strives to live up to the success of the fan-favorite 1990 adaptation. But, with Ridley Scott at the helm, the next Treasure Island retelling could strike gold.
Ridley Scott’s Treasure Island Reboot Sounds Amazing
Ridley Scott is set to add his own flavor to Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic 1883 story, Treasure Island. The iconic filmmaker will team up with screenwriter Jack Thorne, who also penned the acclaimed 2025 miniseries, Adolescence. The project has yet to pick up a studio, but several are reportedly interested in acquiring it.
A cast is already beginning to formulate around Ridley Scott’s Treasure Island, beginning with Hugh Jackman. The iconic Wolverine actor is set to star as Long John Silver, the ever-charismatic and always untrustworthy pirate. This marks the second time that Jackman has played an unsavory pirate in a big-screen production after his infamous portrayal of Blackbeard in the 2015 box office flop, Pan.
There isn’t yet a timetable for the upcoming Treasure Island reboot. Scott and his team still have a long way to go before they can enter production. Nevertheless, even as a distant speck on the horizon, this is already one of the director’s most exciting upcoming movies.
Treasure Island (1990) Is Still One of the Best Action-Adventure Movies of All Time
One of the most iconic adaptations of Treasure Island is the 1990 made-for-television film directed by Fraser Clarke Heston. The swashbuckling action-adventure film stars a young Christian Bale as Jim Hawkins, a boy who embarks on a perilous adventure to find buried treasure. Along the way, he encounters all manner of dangers, including treacherous pirates who would just as soon steal the treasure from under his nose as help him find it.
Treasure Island includes a stellar supporting cast, including Oliver Reed as Billy Bones, Christopher Lee as Blind Pew, and Charlton Heston as Long John Silver. Of the many adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson’s original story, this movie is celebrated as one of the most faithful, keeping most of the events and characterizations in line with the book. Much of the dialogue is ripped straight from the page as well, making for a terrific experience for fans of the novel.
The 1990 Treasure Island movie has achieved cult classic status over the years, thanks in large part to enthusiasm from fans of the original book and the enduring popularity of its cast. Charlton Heston’s iteration of Long John Silver is still considered one of the best portrayals of the character ever put to screen. Meanwhile, Christian Bale demonstrates the endearing movie star quality that would eventually make him one of the most beloved actors of all time.
Thirty-six years later, this adaptation has been mostly well-received by modern audiences as well. The film has a respectable 76% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a 7/10 average rating from users on IMDb. This iteration of Treasure Island will always be iconic, and casts a long shadow for Ridley Scott and Hugh Jackman’s upcoming reboot.
What To Expect From Ridley Scott’s Treasure Island Adaptation
Ridley Scott’s celebrated filmography is more than enough proof that he is the perfect director to helm a new adaptation of Treasure Island. While he is most influential in the realm of sci-fi, Scott has also directed some of the biggest and most exciting epics in movie history. Films like Gladiator show his mastery of depicting stories of massive scale, which bodes well for his new reboot.
Hugh Jackman is also an intriguing choice for the character of Long John Silver. The infamous pirate is known for his undeniable charisma, which should be no problem for the well-liked Australian actor to inhabit. However, Long John Silver is also a backstabbing, unsavory criminal, which will be a new direction for Jackman, who typically plays heroic characters. It will be a refreshing change of pace for audiences to see the actor play a more morally ambiguous character.
The rest of the cast for Ridley Scott’s Treasure Island reboot has yet to be confirmed. Major roles like Jim Hawkins and Billy Bones most likely won’t be cast until the film gets closer to the production stage. However, with the drawing power that Scott, Jackman, and Thorne bring to the table, the film will most likely attract some major stars.
What’s Next for Ridley Scott?
While Treasure Island is on the horizon, Ridley Scott has several other projects gestating at the same time. He officially returns to science fiction later this Summer with The Dog Stars, which hits theaters on August 28. The film is based on Peter Heller’s 2012 novel of the same name and takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is on its last legs after a deadly virus. It stars Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Allison Janney, and Benedict Wong.
Scott has also been announced to direct a musical biopic centered on the Bee Gees for Paramount Pictures. The film, titled You Should Be Dancing, was meant to enter production last year, but has been delayed indefinitely. As of this writing, it is unclear if the biopic will still move forward or if Scott is still attached to direct.
Ridley Scott is also still involved in one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises of all time, which he helped kick off nearly 50 years ago. The Alien franchise is officially back and better than ever, with the recent release of acclaimed projects like Alien: Romulus and Alien: Earth. While he is not attached to a specific project at the moment, the director has spoken often about returning for another Alien movie, perhaps with Sigourney Weaver returning as Ellen Ripley.
The director has also hinted at continuing the Gladiator franchise. Gladiator II brought audiences back to the days of ancient Rome in 2024, paving the way for potential sequels to follow. While the sequel was not the box office smash hit that Paramount may have wanted, it appears that the studio will still move forward with a third film. Scott has confirmed that he is working on a script for Gladiator III, though story details are still unclear.
At 88, Ridley Scott is still pushing the envelope with new projects that allow him to expand his repertoire. He has his finger in multiple genres, from high sci-fi to historical epics, and now swashbuckling pirate adventures. Treasure Island is only the latest exciting addition to the director’s list of upcoming projects. As the new reboot begins to take shape, it already looks like one of the best adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless adventure novel.
Treasure Island is still in early development.
- Release Date
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January 22, 1990
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Charlton Heston
Long John Silver
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Christian Bale
Jim Hawkins
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Christopher Lee
Blind Pew
