Hugh Jackman Cast as Long John Silver in Ridley Scott's Treasure Island Film

Hugh Jackman is heading to the high seas. The 57-year-old actor has been cast in the role of Long John Silver for an upcoming film adaptation of Treasure Island, to be directed by Ridley Scott.

Jack Thorne, known for his work on Adolescence, will handle screenplay duties for the project. According to reports, the film is expected to attract significant interest from major studios, with bidding set to commence on Monday, July 8.

The project recently became available to the broader market after 20th Century Studios passed on the opportunity. The studio, a Disney division, declined to move forward due to Disney's focus on the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise at its live-action division, leading executives to avoid a competing pirate-themed venture.

The film centers on a young protagonist who discovers a map leading to legendary buried treasure and sets sail on a dangerous voyage to claim the fortune. The journey becomes complicated when the boy faces off against the charismatic and cunning pirate Long John Silver in a high-stakes battle of wits.

Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel has become a cultural touchstone, with over 100 million copies sold globally. The story has previously been adapted across multiple mediums and formats, ranging from Muppet Treasure Island to the 1999 live-action film, and the 2002 animated feature Treasure Planet.

On the film front, Jackman's dark fantasy thriller The Death of Robin Hood is slated for theatrical release this month.