Treasure Island Movie News: Updates & Cast Info

July 22, 2026

Sony Pictures has secured the rights to a new feature-film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel “Treasure Island,” with Ridley Scott attached to direct and Hugh Jackman set to star. The studio confirmed the project earlier this week, though no production timeline or additional casting has been announced.

The news marks a significant return to the swashbuckling genre for Scott, whose filmography includes such historical epics as “Gladiator,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” and “The Last Duel.” Jackman, fresh off his acclaimed turn as a song-and-dance man in a recent musical drama, will bring his action-star bona fides to the project-a role that recalls his early-career breakout as Wolverine in the “X-Men” franchise.

The Story That Endures

The novel, first published in 1883, follows young Jim Hawkins, who helps run the Benbow Inn with his mother. After a mysterious seaman named Captain Billy Bones dies at the inn during a siege by buccaneers led by the terrifying Blind Pew, Jim and his mother fight off the attackers and discover Bones’ treasure map-the very prize the buccaneers had come for.

Jim agrees to sail aboard the S.S. Hispaniola with Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey to find the treasure on a remote island. But the voyage takes a dark turn when the ship’s cook, the charismatic and duplicitous Long John Silver, leads a mutiny among crew members who want the treasure for themselves. Jim must help the Squire and the Hispaniola officers survive the rebellion and fight back against Silver’s men, who have seized control of the ship.

Previous Adaptations

“Treasure Island” has been adapted for the screen many times. The best-known film version remains the 1950 Disney live-action feature, though a 1990 television movie directed by Fraser Clarke Heston also holds a place in fans’ memories. That version, which ran 131 minutes, featured a formidable cast: Charlton Heston as Long John Silver, a young Christian Bale as Jim Hawkins, Oliver Reed as Billy Bones, Christopher Lee as Blind Pew, Richard Johnson as Squire Trelawney, Julian Glover as Dr. Livesey, Isla Blair as Mrs. Hawkins, and James Cosmo as Redruth. That television film currently holds a TMDb rating of 6.6 out of 10.

The novel has also inspired numerous animated versions, stage musicals, and even a space-set sci-fi reimagining, “Treasure Planet,” from Disney in 2002.

Scott’s Vision

Ridley Scott has not publicly commented on his specific approach to the material, but industry insiders expect the director to bring his characteristic visual grandeur and attention to historical detail. Scott’s recent work on “Napoleon” and the long-gestating “The Battle of Britain” suggests he remains drawn to large-scale period pieces. With “Treasure Island,” he will have the opportunity to mount a classic pirate adventure that emphasizes both the grit of maritime life and the moral complexity at the heart of Stevenson’s tale.

Jackman’s role has not been officially disclosed, but given the story’s focus, he is expected to play Long John Silver, the peg-legged, parrot-shouldered cook who becomes Jim’s mentor and nemesis. It is a role that demands both roguish charm and menacing intensity-qualities Jackman has displayed in everything from “Les Misérables” to “Logan.”

Sony has not announced a screenwriter, but the project is said to be in early development. The studio is likely aiming for a theatrical release in 2028 or 2029, given Scott’s busy schedule and the need for extensive pre-production work on a large-scale period adventure.

A Fresh Take

While the 1990 television movie remains a cherished version for many fans-particularly for Christian Bale’s breakthrough performance as Jim Hawkins-Scott’s film promises a different scale entirely. The director’s ability to create immersive worlds, from the claustrophobic corridors of the Nostromo in “Alien” to the sprawling deserts of “The Martian,” suggests that his “Treasure Island” will feel both faithful to the source material and distinctly cinematic.

Jackman’s involvement adds considerable star power to the project. After years of playing superheroes and song-and-dance men, the actor has expressed interest in taking on literary characters with depth and shading. Long John Silver, a character who is by turns charming, ruthless, and unexpectedly paternal, offers exactly that kind of complexity.

Sony has not yet set a release date or a production start, but the combination of Scott’s visual ambition and Jackman’s star power suggests that the studio is betting big on a new generation of moviegoers discovering Stevenson’s timeless tale of treasure, loyalty, and the thin line between civilization and savagery.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter