Ridley Scott is wasting no time. With his latest sci-fi epic, The Dog Stars, hitting theaters next week, the legendary director has already locked in his next project: a big-screen adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. And according to Scott himself, cameras will roll sooner than you think.
During a press junket for The Dog Stars in London, Scott confirmed to Collider that Treasure Island is indeed his next feature, with a start date of November 1. The film will star Hugh Jackman as the iconic pirate Long John Silver, and Scott is also eyeing two more big names to join the cast.
“Yes, with Hugh Jackman. I hope Hugh Grant, and I hope the kid from Adolescence,” Scott revealed. That “kid” is Owen Cooper, the breakout star of Netflix's hit series Adolescence, who would play young Jim Hawkins. Hugh Grant, meanwhile, is in talks for a role that hasn't been specified yet, but his addition would give the film a deliciously British flavor.
Scott's Treasure Island has been in development since June, when Jackman's casting was first announced. The script comes from Jack Thorne, whose credits include Adolescence, Lord of the Flies, and the upcoming Enola Holmes 3. The story follows a young boy who discovers a treasure map and sets sail on a dangerous voyage, only to clash wits with the cunning Silver.
This will be Scott's first foray into pure adventure fantasy in quite some time. His recent output has leaned heavily into historical epics like Napoleon and Gladiator II, but Treasure Island promises a swashbuckling change of pace. With Jackman's charisma and Scott's visual flair, this could be one of the most anticipated adventure films of the year.
Meanwhile, The Dog Stars is gearing up for its theatrical release. The post-apocalyptic thriller stars Jacob Elordi as Hig, a pilot navigating a world ravaged by a deadly virus, alongside Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong. It's Scott's first sci-fi film in nearly a decade, following 2017's Alien: Covenant.
Fans of Scott's earlier sci-fi work, like Blade Runner and The Martian, will likely find plenty to love in The Dog Stars, which has drawn comparisons to The Last of Us. And if you're eager to see it on the big screen, there's even a chance to win free tickets to an IMAX screening with a Ridley Scott Q&A.
As for Treasure Island, Scott's confirmation of a November start means casting announcements should come thick and fast in the coming weeks. With Jackman already on board and Grant and Cooper potentially joining, this is shaping up to be a must-watch. For more on Scott's upcoming projects, including his thoughts on Blade Runner and Alien, stay tuned for our extended interview with the director next week.
In the meantime, if you're in the mood for more fantasy adventures, check out our list of the most flawless fantasy TV series of the past 25 years or explore low fantasy's most inventive magic systems. And for a dose of Ridley Scott nostalgia, his 1987 thriller is now free on Tubi.
