Hugh Jackman takes on the role in the new ‘Treasure Island’ and reveals that he has not read the classic book

Hugh Jackman, famous for playing heroes in cinema, is about to take on a major villainous role: the iconic pirate Long John Silver. The Australian actor is tipped to star in a new film adaptation of “Treasure Island”, an acclaimed novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. However, what is surprising is Jackman’s confession that he has never read the original literary work, published in 1883 and considered a pillar of world adventure. The project, still in search of financing, is directed by the renowned Ridley Scott.

The challenge of Long John Silver and the lack of knowledge about the work

Stevenson’s classic tells the intricate story of young Jim Hawkins, who discovers a pirate treasure map and sets out on a dangerous journey across the seas. In it, Hawkins meets Long John Silver, one of the most memorable and complex antagonists in literature. Despite the book’s stature, with almost 150 years of existence, Jackman admitted that his familiarity with the plot comes solely from the script, without having read the novel or watched any of its previous adaptations. He explained that his work choices are guided by the script and intuition, not the prior fame of the source material.

Ridley Scott’s vision for the new version

Although his knowledge of Long John Silver was superficial before being approached for the film, Hugh Jackman highlighted the quality of the script written by Jack Thorne, a screenwriter recognized for works such as “Adolescence”. The text was sent to the actor by Ridley Scott himself, a renowned filmmaker with a CV that includes epics such as “Gladiator” and “Napoleon”. The union of Jackman, Scott and Thorne raises expectations for the depth and scale of the feature film. However, the future of production still depends directly on obtaining financing so that filming can begin.

The legacy of “Treasure Island” in pop culture

Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” remains one of the most influential and enduring adventure stories of all time. Since its publication, the work has fascinated generations with its engaging plot of piracy, mystery and the search for hidden riches. The novel not only defined many tropes of the pirate genre, but also inspired numerous adaptations for diverse media, including film, television, theater, and games. Its continued cultural relevance highlights universal themes of greed, loyalty and the coming-of-age journey, ensuring the classic will be rediscovered by new audiences.

The next steps for adaptation and expected date

With the presence of talents such as Hugh Jackman and Ridley Scott, the chances of the new adaptation of “Treasure Island” securing the necessary investment are quite promising. However, the project is still in an early stage of development. Important details, such as the choice of actor to play Jim Hawkins, have not yet been announced. The current forecast is that the adventure will hit theaters from 2028. Before that, Jackman will be on screen in “The Death of Robin Hood”, scheduled for release on August 13, 2026.