Hugh Jackman, Ridley Scott And Jack Thorne Set Sail For Hot ‘Treasure Island’ Package – The Dish
EXCLUSIVE: Here is a package hitting the market this week with some major star power and a high-profile piece of IP at the center of it. Sources tell Deadline that Ridley Scott is on board to direct a movie adaptation of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel Treasure Island, with Hugh Jackman attached to play iconic pirate Long John Silver. Adolescence writer Jack Thorne penned the script, with Scott and Michael Pruss producing for Scott Free. Thorne will exec produce.
Reps could not be reached for comment.
The package is set to hit the market Monday and expects to have every major studio in the mix for it. Insiders say that 20th Century — Scott’s go-to studio that will release his next film The Dog Stars this August — did get a first look at it. It was ultimately a no from 20th not because both parties didn’t want to work together, but rather because 20th Century is a Disney division; since Pirates of the Caribbean is a priority at Disney’s live-action unit, they didn’t want a competing pirates project and let it go to market. The Dog Stars is based on Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel.
The Treasure Island package is a new take on Stevenson’s novel. That story 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.
Since its publication in 1883, Treasure Island has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into over 50 languages, making it one of the most enduring and influential adventure novels ever written. John Musker and Ron Clements directed an animated adaptation Treasure Planet (2002), in which Joseph Gordon-Levitt voiced Jim Hawkins. Set in space and therefore leaning more science fiction, the film also featured the voices of Brian Murray as Long John Silver, Martin Short as the robot Ben and Emma Thompson as Captain Amelia.
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Jackman is repped by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Scott is repped by CAA, Thorne is repped by UTA, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates and Sloan, Offer, Weber & Dern.
Will let you know more as this story unfolds.
