With Starts At 60 Writers

Aussie superstar Hugh Jackman will play Long John Silver in a new adaptation of Treasure Island directed by Ridley Scott.

Jackman is set to take on the legendary pirate in the latest screen version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure tale.

The Greatest Showman actor will reportedly lead the cast of Scott’s planned take on the beloved novel, which he will direct from a script by Adolescence writer Jack Thorne, who will also serve as executive producer.

According to Deadline, the package is set to hit the market on Monday and while 20th Century – who will release Scott’s next movie The Dog Stars in August – did get a first look, they ultimately turned down the project.

This was because 20th Century is a Disney division, where Pirates of the Caribbean is a priority and they didn’t want to take on competing projects.

Treasure Island – which has sold more than 100 million copies and been translated into more than 50 languages since its release in 1883 – follows a young boy, Jim Hawkins, who embarks on a dangerous sea voyage to claim a fortune after uncovering a map to legendary buried treasure, only to become locked in a deadly battle of wits with Long John Silver.

Every major studio is expected to be in the mix for the film.

The role adds another major credit to Jackman’s already remarkable career across film, theatre and music. The Sydney-born performer first shot to international fame as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, a role he has played for more than two decades and reprised in last year’s blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine.

Away from the superhero world, Jackman has earned acclaim for films including Les Misérables, Prisoners, The Prestige and Australia, while also becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognisable musical stars through The Greatest Showman. On stage, he is equally celebrated, winning a Tony Award for his performance in The Boy from Oz and regularly returning to Broadway for major productions and concert performances.

Scott, meanwhile, remains one of the most respected directors in cinema history, with credits including Alien, Gladiator and Blade Runner, and continues to work at a prolific pace well into his 80s.