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Deadline exclusively reported today that Ridley Scott, the acclaimed director behind the "Gladiator" franchise and "Blade Runner," is developing a new cinematic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic treasure-hunting novel, "Treasure Island." Hugh Jackman is set to star as the novel's iconic pirate antagonist, Long John Silver, while Jack Thorne, showrunner for the HBO series "His Dark Materials," is penning the script.
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The project is currently being shopped to major Hollywood studios. However, 20th Century Studios, a frequent collaborator with Scott, has reportedly passed on bidding. This is due to 20th Century being a subsidiary of Walt Disney Pictures, which already has its own successful pirate-themed franchise, "Pirates of the Caribbean," and reportedly wishes to avoid internal competition in the market.
Disney has, in fact, adapted "Treasure Island" multiple times in the past, releasing a live-action film version in 1950 and a sci-fi animated adaptation, "Treasure Planet," in 2002.
via： Deadline