Ridley Scott Says TREASURE ISLAND Could Be the Most Expensive Movie of His Career

Ridley Scott is gearing up for his new adaptation of Treasure Island, and if Scott’s latest comments are accurate, Sony could be spending an absolutely ridiculous amount of money to bring Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure story back to the big screen.

According to The Ridley Scott Archives, Ridley Scott recently appeared on a Patreon podcast and reportedly revealed that Treasure Island could be “the highest budget film” of his career before tax incentives and subsidies are factored in.

That would potentially put the movie north of $200 million. For some perspective, Scott has already directed several massive productions that crossed that mark.

Gladiator II reportedly cost more than $250 million, Robin Hood came in around $237 million, while Napoleon and Exodus: Gods and Kings each carried budgets around $200 million.

So if Treasure Island tops all of them, Sony is giving Scott a seriously expensive pirate ship to play with. Scott’s latest movie, The Dog Stars, cost $89 million to make and has earned only $33 million worldwide.

It follows an unfortunate run of expensive underperformers that includes The Last Duel, House of Gucci, Napoleon, and Gladiator II.

Scott is 88 years old, and he’s still charging ahead with giant movies at a pace that would exhaust filmmakers half his age. I love that he’s still working and taking on ambitious projects, but his recent movies haven’t been hitting the way his older work did.

Many of his more recent film have been disappointingly mediocre for me. They’re nowhere near the level of the movies Scott made during the strongest stretches of his career.

That’s why I’m both curious and cautious about Treasure Island. The material certainly gives Scott plenty to work with, and a massive old-school pirate adventure could be a great fit for him.

Hugh Jackman is expected to star, while Hugh Grant and Owen Cooper are reportedly circling roles. Jack Thorne wrote the screenplay after earning acclaim for Netflix’s Adolescence, and he’s also behind the Lord of the Flies adaptation.

Scott has confirmed that production is scheduled to begin November 1, with filming taking place in the Canary Islands, where he has already been scouting locations.

Stevenson’s 1883 novel follows young Jim Hawkins after he comes into possession of a treasure map and sets sail on a dangerous voyage. What begins as an adventure quickly turns into a deadly battle involving treasure, betrayal, shifting loyalties, and the unforgettable Long John Silver.

Scott’s version also appears to be changing things up by bringing Blackbeard into the story. The legendary pirate isn’t part of Stevenson’s original novel, so his inclusion suggests this won’t simply be another straightforward adaptation of a story Hollywood has already tackled numerous times.

The big question is whether audiences are interested in another version of this story, especially one carrying what could become an enormous $200 million-plus price tag. Pirate movies can become expensive very quickly once you start adding ships, ocean photography, giant sets, elaborate costumes, locations, and large-scale action.

Still, I’d love to see Scott knock this one out of the park. I would love nothing more than to see an awesome, big, gritty pirate adventure!

Scott has made some of the greatest films of his generation. Hopefully Treasure Island can bring some of that old magic back.

Source: World of Reel