‘The Wolverine' Actor Set To Star In Ridley Scott's ‘Treasure Island'

Superheroes, sheep, and now buried treasure. What's next for Hugh Jackman? Jackman is on board to play Long John Silver in Ridley Scott's new adaptation of Treasure Island. Scott, who directed Alien and Gladiator II, is set to direct.

The script was written by Scott as well as Jack Thorne, best known for Adolescence. The package, a list of selling points for the film that includes the director and any big actors who have signed on, hit the market Monday and is hoping a big studio will fight to claim it. Scott's upcoming film, The Dog Stars, is being released by 20th Century later this year, but the studio ultimately passed on the film due to Disney's competing pirate franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean, per Deadline.

This version of Treasure Island follows a young boy who discovers a map leading to buried treasure and faces the pirate Long John Silver as he journeys out to sea to find it. Scott and Thorne's adaptation will be a new take on the old classic.

Robert Louis Stevenson created Treasure Island to entertain his son during a storm. The tale was based on Stevenson's own travels. He eventually wrote and published the book in 1883, which became one of the most famous adventure stories of all time. Treasure Island put Stevenson on the map, and he would later write other well-known works, including Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

The book has had other film adaptations, including Disney's first live-action film, Treasure Island (1950), the animated spin on the tale, Treasure Planet, and the lighthearted Muppet Treasure Island.

Paramount+ UK also greenlit an adaptation of the book earlier this year. The series will star Hayley Atwell, David Oyelowo, Jack Huston, Tomer Capone, and Tom Sweet. Sweet will play the young protagonist Jim Hawkins with Oyelowo as Long John Silver. Deadline pointed out after the announcement that "it comes off the back of another high-profile adaptation, Lord of the Flies." The Lord of the Flies limited series was written by Jack Thorne.

Jackman has recently starred in The Sheep Detectives as shepherd George Hardy. The mystery comedy currently has a 95% critic rating and 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony already in hand, Jackman may be vying for an Oscar from The Sheep Detectives or Treasure Island to secure his EGOT.

The Sheep Detectives is still in theaters and will be available on Prime later this year. There has been no expected release date for Treasure Island at this time.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 2:22 PM.