Sony Pictures is finalizing a deal to acquire a new feature film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel Treasure Island. The project brings together director Ridley Scott and actor Hugh Jackman, who is attached to star as the infamous pirate Long John Silver.

The screenplay for the feature is written by Jack Thorne, the BAFTA and Emmy-winning screenwriter behind the BBC and Netflix series Adolescence and the stage production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Based on Stevenson’s 1883 novel, the narrative follows young cabin boy Jim Hawkins as he discovers a secret map detailing buried pirate treasure. His voyage aboard the Hispaniola quickly devolves into a high-seas confrontation when Silver leads a mutiny to seize the fortune for himself.

The project will be produced by Scott and Michael Pruss under their Scott Free Productions banner. The package initially went out to potential studio buyers after 20th Century Studios—which maintains a long-standing creative relationship with Scott—passed on the project due to corporate priorities surrounding Disney’s internal franchise development.

Scott’s next feature, the post-apocalyptic drama The Dog Stars starring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, is scheduled for theatrical release on August 28, 2026, via 20th Century Studios. Jackman’s recent filmography includes A24’s medieval drama The Death of Robin Hood and Amazon MGM Studios’ comedy The Sheep Detectives.

Stevenson’s foundational pirate tale has seen numerous cinematic retellings across film history, ranging from early Hollywood adaptations in 1934 and Disney’s 1950 live-action feature to 1996’s Muppet Treasure Island and the 2002 animated sci-fi reimagining Treasure Planet. Sony has not yet announced supporting cast members or a production schedule for the upcoming film.